SAINT PETERSBURG, July 4 -- The early elimination of Germany, Argentina, Spain and Portugal has raised the prospect of an unfancied team lifting the World Cup trophy at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on July 15.

Such a scenario could mean that 2018 will bring a first-time Ballon d'Or winner, given that team success - whether at national or club level - is almost an unwritten pre-requisite for football's top individual honor.

We identify seven players still involved in Russia that could break the 10-year Ballon d'Or duopoly of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Luka Modric (Croatia)

His missed penalty against Denmark aside, Modric has been the driving force behind Croatia's foray into the last eight.

Playing in a more advanced position to the one he occupies at Real Madrid, Modric has been pivotal to his side's success with his vision, sense of space and one or two-touch passing.

He has also provided a scoring threat and netted the contender for goal of the tournament with a curling long-range effort against Argentina.

Modric was also the midfield architect in the Real Madrid side that won their fourth Champions League title in five years in May.

Kylian Mbappe (France)

Mbappe started the tournament inauspiciously but has improved with each outing. The 19-year-old's performance against Argentina in the round of 16 was arguably the best individual display by any player at this World Cup.

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