REAL MADRID ace Luka Modric has appeared to take a sly dig at former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo for lacking “respect” by not showing up to the Ballon d’Or ceremony. The 34-year-old made the comments after Lionel Messi won his sixth Ballon d’Or on Monday – as he beat Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk by just seven points. Modric spoke with local media after the ceremony and said: “I am very proud to be at the gala and handed the prize over to Messi who deserves it. “Football is about respect and when you do not win you have to be there to celebrate it on days like today. “I am here to celebrate football. I have awarded him the prize and congratulated him. I am happy to be here.” Local media report the comments came as criticism towards Los Blancos legend Ronaldo’s absence at the gala.Ronaldo was in Calcio, Italy during the gala in Paris where he was named Serie A Player of the Year for the 2018/2019 season. LUK WHO’S TALKING Modric – who won the Ballon d’Or last year added – added: “We are rivals but above everything there is respect. “We have to enjoy football and that…