Sergio Ramos is adamant Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric deserved to win the UEFA Player of the Year award while also aiming a dig at his former colleague Cristiano Ronaldo.

The midfield maestro was in sparkling form for both club and country last season, inspiring Croatia’s remarkable run to the World Cup final and playing a key role in Madrid’s historic third consecutive Champions League triumph.

However, his UEFA Player of the Year victory was called into question by those in the Ronaldo camp with his agent Jorge Mendes slamming the “ridiculous and shameful” decision to award Modric over the Portuguese superstar.

Ramos offered a stern riposte to that criticism as he told ESPN: “There are few players that I am as proud of having in my team as [Modric].

“He is a great friend and a great player. He is one of the few players who [if he wins] would make me as happy as if they had given it to me.”

The Spain centre-back then appeared to take a slight swipe at Juventus forward Ronaldo.

He continued: “Maybe there are players with more marketing, with a bigger name but Modric deserves that award.”