Luka Modric received the Golden Ball trophy on Sunday after being voted the 2018 World Cup's best player, but after losing in the final against France he said it felt like Croatia had let the biggest prize slip.

"It's kind of silly to say that we were the better team, but we lost," said Modric after France's 4-2 win at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. "We have this sensation that we were at least equal to them, if not better."

Modric said that the 50-50 balls and decisions did not go Croatia's way -- particularly a controversial decision that saw the referee rule that Ivan Perisic handled in the area -- and that was what decided the game.

Croatia's captain also said he thought referee Nestor Pitana's decision to award the free kick that led to France's first goal, an own goal by Mario Mandzukic, was off the mark.

"It was not a foul for me, for the free kick. I don't know if they can turn it back and say no with (the Video Assistant Referee), but now we cannot change anything," said the diminutive Real Madrid player.

Modric can take some solace in knowing he beat Belgium's Eden Hazard and France's Antoine Griezmann to join a very select group as the recipient of the Golden Ball.

But he said the award felt hollow after losing a match that Croatia had dominated at times.

"I can't say I don't care, or it's the same for me, because it's a nice reward for everything that I've done this tournament," he said.

"Of course, this award is a great...(but) I would prefer to win the World Cup more than anything."