10 fun facts about Luka Modric
Luka Modric is a highly regarded football player from Croatia who displays his exceptional abilities as a midfielder for Real Madrid in La Liga and leads the Croatian national team as their captain. Although he primarily plays as a central midfielder, he also showcases his versatility by excelling in both attacking and defensive midfield positions….
Luka Modric is a highly regarded football player from Croatia who displays his exceptional abilities as a midfielder for Real Madrid in La Liga and leads the Croatian national team as their captain. Although he primarily plays as a central midfielder, he also showcases his versatility by excelling in both attacking and defensive midfield positions.
Modric is widely recognized as one of the most outstanding midfielders in history and is considered the greatest football player ever produced by Croatia. He began his professional career with Dinamo Zagreb in 2003 and gained valuable experience through loan spells at Zrinjski Mostar in Bosnia and Inter Zaprešić in Croatia.
He made his debut for Dinamo in 2005 and his performances earned him a transfer to Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in 2008. Under his leadership, Tottenham Hotspur secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League in 2010, marking their first qualification in nearly half a century. In the summer of 2012, Modrić made a £30 million move to Real Madrid.
In his second season with the club, he played a pivotal role in winning the 2013-14 Champions League title and was recognized for his outstanding performance by being selected for the season’s squad of the season. Following Zinedine Zidane’s appointment as the manager of Real Madrid in 2016, Modrić became an integral part of the team’s historic three consecutive Champions League victories from 2015-16 to 2017-18, earning a place in the squad of the season each time.
Throughout his time at Madrid, Modrić has amassed an impressive collection of 24 major trophies, including five UEFA Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, and two Copa del Rey titles. Modrić made his international debut for Croatia in a match against Argentina in March 2006 and scored his first international goal in a friendly against Italy. He has been a key figure in Croatia’s “second Golden Generation,” representing his country in every major tournament they have qualified for, from UEFA Euro 2008 to 2020, as well as the 2006 FIFA World Cup to 2022. Here are some fun facts about Modric.
1. Grew up as a refugee
His parents were forced to leave Modrići and settled down at the Hotel Iz in Zadar. Young Luka and his sister Jasmina had to confront the constant noise of explosions and gunfire on a daily basis, all the while being cautious of hidden landmines that could be lurking around any corner due to the absence of electricity and running water.
Nevertheless, this did not deter the determined child from playing with a deflated football in the motel parking lot, as he fantasized about one day breaking free from the hardships of his war-ravaged existence.
2. Has won Champions League 5 times
The champions league is undoubtedly the most prestigious trophy in club football. It is unfortunate that many exceptional players have retired without ever lifting it, such as Cesc Fabregas, Francesco Totti, Fabio Cannavaro, Eric Cantona, and Patric Vieira, among others.
However, there are exceptions like Modric, who has an astonishing record of winning it five times. No other player has achieved this feat, although he shares this accomplishment with some of his fellow teammates in Madrid, including Dani Carvajal, Marcelo, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo, all of whom have also won it five times.
3. Idolises Brazilian Ronaldo
Luka Modric confesses to admiring this legendary footballer. Although he doesn’t occupy the striker position like him, Modric possesses remarkable attacking skills as well. Modric reveals that his initial set of shin pads featured an image of the Brazilian Ronaldo. Similar to his idol, Modric ultimately thrived and achieved immense triumph at Los Blancos.
4. Recipient of the Croatian Footballer of the Year award
From 2007 to 2022, the Croatian Footballer of the Year accolade has been bestowed upon the midfield maestro a remarkable eleven times. Modrić holds the distinction of being the player with the highest number of appearances in the history of Croatian football, having represented his country 164 times as of the present moment.
5. First player to appear at the Euros and World Cup in three different decades
Throughout his career, Modrić has participated in multiple World Cups and European Championships, showcasing his enduring presence in international football across different decades.
6. Has an autobiography
In the latter part of 2019, the autobiography “My Game” was published, co-written by Robert Matteoni, a well-known sports writer of Croatian-Italian descent. This book delves into the remarkable journey of Modrić’s football career, shedding light on his upbringing during wartime and highlighting significant aspects such as family and friends.
7. Worst Real Madrid signing of 2012
MARCA, a Spanish newspaper, named Modrić as the most disappointing signing of the 2012 summer transfer window in La Liga. He received 32.2 percent of the votes due to his difficulties in securing a spot in the first team, especially with players like Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira, and Mesut Özil already established in the team.
8. First player to break Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or duopoly
In 2018, Modrić’s remarkable achievements in the Champions League with Real Madrid and his leadership in guiding Croatia to their second World Cup victory, along with his Golden Ball win, shattered the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Ballon d’Or. From 2008 to 2017, these two exceptional players had monopolized the prestigious award, each claiming five titles.
9. Doesn’t have a football physique
Football is a physically demanding contact sport that requires a significant level of physicality. Despite being fully grown, Modric’s height of 5’9” may be considered relatively small for a midfielder in the game.
However, Modric’s smaller frame actually worked to his advantage. It enhanced his agility and provided him with a lower center of gravity, enabling him to effectively evade challenges and opponents on the field.
10. Could have Joined Real Madrid Rivals Barcelona
Modric has undoubtedly solidified his status as a legendary figure at Real Madrid. Nevertheless, in 2008, there was a possibility for him to join Barcelona from Zagreb, and he openly expressed his desire to play for them at that time.
However, it is safe to say that such thoughts would be unimaginable for him today. The mere idea of Modric donning Barcelona colors is repulsive to Madrid fans. Nonetheless, it is widely acknowledged by football enthusiasts that a partnership between Messi and Modric would have been enchanting. Alas, fate had different plans.
