Luka Modrić

Early years

Luka Modrić was born on 9 September 1985 and was raised in the hamlet of Modrići near Zaton Obrovački, a village close to Zadar in SR Croatia, then a republic within Yugoslavia. He is the oldest child of aeromechanic Stipe Modrić and textile worker Radojka or Jasminka Modrić. His childhood coincided with the Croatian War of Independence; in 1991 when the war escalated, his family were forced to flee the area. His father joined the Croatian Army. Modrić's grandfather Luka and six other elderly civilians were executed by Croatian Serb rebels in December 1991 in the village of Jesenice.

Modrić became a refugee and lived with his family in a hotel in Zadar. According to Luka Modrić, he was mostly unaware of the war because he befriended many other children and their parents did not let it affect their childhoods. In these difficult circumstances, Modrić began playing football. In 1992, he simultaneously entered the primary school and a sporting academy, the latter paid for with the little money the family had. Supported by his family, he participated in representative camps and trained in NK Zadar. He was under tutelage of coach Domagoj Bašić and the head of the youth academy Tomislav Bašić. Tomislav Bašić said Modrić's father made him wooden shin guards because they had little money. Due to being "light-weight" he was not signed by Hajduk, and after displaying some talent, Modrić signed with Dinamo Zagreb as a 16-year-old in late 2001.

After a season with Dinamo Zagreb's youth side, Modrić was loaned out in 2003 to Zrinjski Mostar in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During this period he established his versatile style of play and became the Bosnian and Herzegovinian League Player of the Year while still 18 years old. Modrić later said, "someone who can play in the Bosnian league can play anywhere", referring to its physical nature. The following year, he was loaned out to Croatian side Inter Zaprešić. He spent one season there, helping the team to achieve second position in the Croatian First Football League and a place in the preliminary round of the UEFA Cup, now Europa League preliminary round. He also won the Croatian Football Hope of the Year award in 2004. He returned to Dinamo Zagreb in 2005.

Dinamo Zagreb

In the 2005–06 season, Modrić signed a ten-year contract—his first long-term contract—with Dinamo Zagreb. He secured a place in Dinamo's first team, contributing seven goals in 31 matches to help win the league. In the 2006–07 season, Dinamo again won the league with Modrić making a similar contribution, being main assist for Eduardo da Silva, which was acknowledged with the Prva HNL Player of the Year award. The following season, he led Dinamo's attempt to qualify for the UEFA Cup 2007–08. In the final play-off stage, Modrić converted a penalty in the second and away fixture against AFC Ajax; the game finished 1–1 after regular time. Dinamo won the game and play-off with a score of 3–2 after extra time with two goals from teammate Mario Mandžukić. However, Dinamo Zagreb failed to advance beyond the group stage. At his last home game with the club at Maksimir Stadium, Modrić was given a standing ovation and fans held up supportive banners. He finished his four-year tenure at Dinamo with a tally of over 31 goals and 29 assists in four league seasons, contributing most notably in the 2007–08 season when Dinamo won the second Croatian Cup and became champions by a 28-point margin. Modrić was courted by Barcelona and Arsenal, but he decided to wait.

2008–09 season

Modrić agreed transfer terms with Tottenham Hotspur on 26 April 2008. He was the first of many summer signings for coach Juande Ramos and was also the Premier League's first summer transfer. After signing a six-year contract, Tottenham confirmed the fee paid was £16.5 million, equalling the club's record fee set by Darren Bent's move in 2007. Modrić made his competitive Premier League debut on 16 August in a match that ended in a 2–1 defeat by Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium in Spurs' first match of the 2008–09 season.

Modrić had a slow start at Tottenham; he suffered from a knee injury early in his career there and was labelled as a "light-weight" by sections of the media, and Arsene Wenger. This coincided with his poor form, leading to concerns both for himself and Croatia manager Slaven Bilić. Modrić spent his early days at a position of number 10, before being shifted to the left wing to play alongside Wilson Palacios. Spurs team-mate Tom Huddlestone later said, "his versatility was probably a blessing and a curse, he was that good that he had to play out of position for a bit".

After the appointment of manager Harry Redknapp, Modrić was given a more familiar role as a central- or left-sided midfielder, allowing him to have more influence on the team and use his footballing talent more productively, for example in a 4–4 draw with arch-rivals Arsenal on 29 October. Since this performance, his form improved considerably, coinciding with his club's improved performance in the league. Redknapp recognised Modrić's value to his side, planning to shape his new team around the Croatian playmaker. Modrić scored his first competitive goal at Tottenham in a 2–2 draw against Spartak Moscow during the UEFA Cup group stages on 18 December 2008. He scored his first Premier League goals against Newcastle United in an away defeat on 21 December, a home win in the third round of the FA Cup against Wigan on 2 January 2009, and in an away defeat against Manchester United on 25 April 2009.

Using Modrić in his former position from Dinamo Zagreb days made him more effective with inspirational performances against Stoke City, Hull City, and most notably on 21 March when he scored the only goal in a win against Chelsea.

2009–10 season

Ahead of the 2009–10 season, Redknapp said of Modrić, "[He's] a hell of a player and a manager’s dream, so I am told. He trains like a demon and never complains, will work with and without the ball on the field and can beat a defender with a trick or with a pass. He could get into any team in the top four and he’ll be even better this season." On 29 August 2009, during Tottenham's 2–1 win over Birmingham City, Modrić was taken off injured with a suspected calf injury. The following day, it was confirmed that Modrić had sustained a fracture to his right fibula and was expected to be out for six weeks. He returned on 28 December in the London derby against West Ham United, which Spurs won 2–0 with an 11th-minute goal scored by Modrić using the leg he broke. He again scored in a home win against Everton on 28 February 2010, and in an away defeat against Burnley on 9 May.

On 30 May 2010, Modrić was awarded with a new six-year contract that ran until 2016; he said, "Tottenham Hotspur gave me my chance in the Premier League and I want to go on to achieve great success here with them. Yes, there have been enquiries from other big clubs, but I have no interest in going anywhere. Last season's top-four finish was an indication of where we are as a Club and I feel I can continue to improve and go on to achieve everything I want to at Spurs".

2010–11 season

On 11 September 2010, Modrić scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season in a 1–1 away draw at West Bromwich Albion. On 28 November, in a home match against Liverpool, Modrić scored one goal that was later credited as an own-goal by Liverpool's defender. After a draw against Manchester United at White Hart Lane in January 2011, Redknapp praised Modrić, saying, "He was unbelievable. Magnificent. He's an amazing footballer, the little man takes the ball in the tightest areas with people around him, wriggling out of situations. He could play in any team in the world." Modrić also scored in Tottenham's 3–2 victory over Stoke City on 9 April, and converted a penalty at Anfield on 15 May in a 2–0 victory over Liverpool.

Modrić helped Tottenham reach their first involvement in the Champions League. In the first game with Inter Milan at San Siro on 20 October, he exited the game early because of an injury; Spurs lost 4–3, despite the tremendous efforts of Gareth Bale. On the return match at home, on 2 November, Modrić was given too much space to move and dictate the tempo of the game. He created and assisted for the first goal by Rafael van der Vaart in a 3–1 victory. In the next game with Werder Bremen, Modrić scored the second goal. After a scoreless draw against A.C. Milan, Spurs were eliminated from the competition in the quarter-finals by Real Madrid.

Modrić played 32 Premier League games in the 2010–11 season, scoring three goals, recording two assists and making the highest average number of passes per game for Spurs, with 62.5, at an accuracy rate of 87.4%. At the end of the season, Modrić was voted the Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Player of the Year. Alex Ferguson, the manager of Manchester United, said he would have chosen Modrić as his Player of the Year for that season.

2011–12 season

In mid-2011, Modrić was heavily pursued by Tottenham's London rivals Chelsea, who made an initial bid of £22 million, which they increased to £27 million, both of which were rejected by chairman Daniel Levy. After the failed bids, Modrić announced he would welcome a move across London and that he had a "gentleman's agreement" with Daniel Levy that the club would entertain offers from a "big club". Speculation continued throughout the summer transfer window, culminating in Modrić refusing to play in Tottenham's opening match against Manchester United, which ended in a 3–0 loss. Modrić said his "head was not in the right place" as he continued to force a move to Chelsea. On the final day of the transfer window, Chelsea made an offer of £40 million that was again rejected.

After failing to secure a transfer, team manager Harry Redknapp told Modrić to focus on his playing and named him as a starter. On 18 September, he scored his first goal of the season for Tottenham with a shot from 25 yd (23 m) in a 4–0 home win against Liverpool. On 14 January 2012, Modrić scored the only goal in a home draw with Wolves. On 31 January in a 3–1 win against Wigan, he assisted for the first goal with a crossfield pass and scored the second from 20 yd (18 m). For the third time that season he was included in "Team of the Week". Modrić scored his last goal for Tottenham on 2 May in a 1–4 away win against Bolton with a powerful volley from 25 yd (23 m).

2012–13 season

On 27 August 2012, Real Madrid announced they had agreed a deal with Tottenham for a fee in the region of £30 million. Modrić signed a five-year contract with the Spanish club. Two days later, he made his Real Madrid debut against FC Barcelona in the second leg final of the 2012 Supercopa de España at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, replacing Mesut Özil in the 83rd minute. Madrid won the game, giving Modrić his first trophy with the club 36 hours after his signing was announced. Despite his positive debut, Modrić initially struggled to settle into the team under manager José Mourinho because of his lack of pre-season training, which he missed as a result of his ongoing transfer negotiations. The presence of veteran midfielder Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira in defensive midfield, and Mesut Özil in offensive midfield, usually kept Modrić out of the starting lineup, limiting him to substitute appearances and mostly playing out-of-position for his first few months at the club. He played his first UEFA Champions League game for Real Madrid in a group match against Manchester City on 18 September, which Madrid won 3–2. On 3 November, Modrić scored his first goal for Real Madrid in the last minute of their 4–0 victory over Real Zaragoza in La Liga. On 17 November, Modrić assisted a Karim Benzema goal, which was eventually ruled an own goal by Jon Aurtenetxe Borde, with a 50 m (55 yd) cross-field pass. It was the first goal in a 5–1 victory over Athletic Bilbao. His most notable game that year was on 4 December, when he assisted for the first two goals of Cristiano Ronaldo and José Callejón with cross-field passes in a 4–1 victory over Ajax in the group stage of the Champions League.

Modrić started in Real Madrid's home game against their league rivals Barcelona on 2 March 2013; from a corner kick he assisted Sergio Ramos to score the winning goal in the 82nd minute, giving Real a victory in the El Clásico derby. On 5 March, Modrić came on as a second-half substitute during the decisive Champions League knockout leg against 10-man Manchester United at Old Trafford. With Madrid behind by a goal, Modrić equalised with a long-range shot from 25 yd (23 m) out and played a key role in the rest of the game, which Real Madrid won 2–1, advancing them to the quarter-finals 3–2 on aggregate. This game is often seen as the turning point in Modrić's career in Real Madrid. On 16 March, he replicated this performance against Real Mallorca, giving Real Madrid the lead with a long range volley from 30 yd (27 m); Real Madrid won the game 5–2. Modrić played as a starter in both Champions League semi-final games against Borussia Dortmund. In the first leg on 24 April, he played in the attacking midfield position where he did not influence the game and the team lost 4–1. On 30 April, in the second leg 2–0 victory, Modrić played as the deep-lying playmaker, providing passes for the attackers and creating several opportunities; he was among the best-rated players that night. From March 2013, Modrić's form and influence in the midfield continued to improve, distinguishing himself as a player with most passes completed in his team. On 8 May, he assisted from the corner for the first goal and scored the fourth goal in a 6–2 victory over CD Málaga.

2013–14 season

With the arrival of new manager Carlo Ancelotti, Modrić became one of the most-frequent starters in the team, being partnered in midfield with Alonso to provide a balance of defence and attack. He was consistently the team's most efficient passer, averaging 90% accuracy in La Liga, and also having the most ball recoveries among the squad. He scored his first goal of the season in the last Champions League group game against F.C. Copenhagen, making it his fifth goal for the club, all five of which were scored from the outside the box. Modrić scored his first goal of the Spanish league season in a 3–0 away win against Getafe CF, which marked his sixth goal outside of the box. Modrić was on the pitch when Real Madrid won the 2013–14 Copa del Rey, defeating FC Barcelona 2–1 in the final.

In the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, Modrić intercepted the ball and assisted Cristiano Ronaldo for the third goal in Real Madrid's 3–0 home victory against Borussia Dortmund. The goal was ultimately decisive because Real went on to lose 2–0 in the second leg, but progressed with a marginal aggregate score of 3–2. In his 100th game for the club, Modrić assisted for the first goal in the second leg 4–0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final, helping Real Madrid reach the final for the first time in 12 years. He was included in UEFA's Team of the Week for both legs of the semi-final. On 24 May, in the 2014 UEFA Champions League Final, Modrić again assisted from a corner for teammate Sergio Ramos, who scored a 93rd minute equalizer against local rivals Atletico Madrid. Real won 4–1 in extra time, marking the club's tenth Champions League title—locally known as la Décima (the tenth). He was included in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season and received the LFP award for the "Best Midfielder" of the Spanish first league of that season.

2014–15 season

In November 2014, Modrić signed a new contract to stay at Real Madrid until 2018. With the departure of Alonso he was partnered with newly arrived Toni Kroos. Real Madrid began the season by winning the UEFA Super Cup over Sevilla Modrić assisted twice for Bale, first against Real Sociedad in the Spanish league, and second against FC Basel in the Champions League. In the 2–0 away win against Villarreal, Modrić scored his seventh goal from outside of the box.

In late November, Modrić sustained a thigh injury during an international match against Italy, because of which he did not play for three months. He returned in early March 2015, starting in seven games and proving his form. On April 21, in the 3–1 home win against Malaga, he strained ligaments in his right knee, because of which he did not play until May. With his injury, Real Madrid's 22-game winning run in the season came to an end. His absence and the lack of a quality substitute were seen as the main cause of Real Madrid's failure to win matches in La Liga and the Champions League. Ancelotti said, "we missed Modric for almost all the games since the turn of the year and it cost us". Modrić's influence on the game was recognized and he was selected by professional players in the FIFA World XI.

2015–16 season

Ancelotti was replaced by Rafael Benítez, under whom Modrić continued to be a key midfield player. Modrić began the season assisting in September, November and December, and scoring in the 3–4 away win against Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stage of Champions League. He sustained a muscular groin injury during an international game in October, initially suggesting an absence of 2–3 weeks, but by 20 October had recovered in time for the game against Paris Saint-Germain.

With the arrival of new manager Zinedine Zidane in January 2016, the relationship between them was noted in the media, with Modrić described as "master of the game", and the crucial "connector" of the defence and attack. It was seen in the first three games, wins against Deportivo de La Coruña and Sporting de Gijón, and a draw against Real Betis, in which Modrić was praised for creating chances, his positioning, and overall performance and influence on the game. On February 7, Modrić scored a winning goal from outside the box in a 1–2 away win against Granada CF.

He was a regular starter when the team won the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League. He was included in both Champions League, and La Liga's team of the season. For the second time received the LFP award for the "Best Midfielder" of the Spanish first league. He was for the second time included in the FIFA World XI, and first in the UEFA Team of the Year.

2016–17 season

On 18 October 2016, Modrić signed a new contract with Real Madrid, keeping him at the club until 2020. On 18 December with the team won the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup and received the Silver Ball award for his performance.

On 12 March 2017, in a 2–1 win over Real Betis, Modrić played his 200th game for Real Madrid.

International career

Modrić began his international career at youth level, playing for the Croatian under-17, under-19 and under-21 teams. He made his full international debut for the Croatia national football team on 1 March 2006 in a friendly match against Argentina in Basel, Switzerland, which Croatia won 3–2.

2006 World Cup

Modrić made two appearances at the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals as a substitute in the group fixtures against Japan and Australia. With the appointment of new manager Slaven Bilić, Modrić earned greater recognition at international level; he scored his first goal in Croatia's 2–0 friendly win over Italy on 16 August 2006 in Livorno.

Euro 2008

Modrić's performances ensured a regular place in the international side; he gave an impressive showing in Croatia's successful Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, which included home and away victories against England. As a young midfielder, much was expected of Modrić; he was often dubbed "the Croatian Cruyff". Modrić scored Croatia's first goal of Euro 2008, converting a penalty in the fourth minute of their 1–0 victory against Austria on 8 June 2008. It was the fastest penalty ever awarded and scored in European Championship history. He continued to impress at the tournament and was named UEFA Man of the Match in Croatia's next game when they defeated one of the pre-tournament favourites and eventual finalists Germany. In the quarter-final against Turkey, Modrić took advantage of a mistake by veteran Turkish goalkeeper Rüştü Reçber, and crossed to teammate Ivan Klasnić for the first goal of the game with one minute of extra time remaining, but Semih Şentürk equalised for Turkey almost immediately. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Modrić's kick was off-target and he failed to score the first penalty and Turkey won the shootout 3–1. At the end of the competition, Modrić was included in the UEFA Team of the Tournament, becoming only the second Croatian to achieve this honour after Davor Šuker.

Euro 2012

In the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Modrić scored three goals, against Kazakhstan, Andorra and Ukraine; matching Ivica Olić, Ivan Rakitić and Eduardo da Silva. The team failed to qualify by being one point behind Ukraine. After appearing in all of their UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier matches and scoring a goal against Israel, Modrić started in all three of Croatia group stage matches against Republic of Ireland, Italy and Spain, but the team failed to progress. His most notable performance was against Spain; he led the team game and manager Bilić relied un Modrić to resist Spain's football quality on the pitch. The most memorable moment of the game came when Modrić picked the ball on the halfway line skipping Spain's midfield trio, rushing down on the right to reach penalty area where he evaded a defender, and crossed from 18 yd (16 m) to Ivan Rakitić, but Iker Casillas saved the goal of this attempt. Because Croatia did not pass the group stage, Modrić was not included in the Team of the Tournament, but The Telegraph included him in the best eleven until the semi-finals, and his play was well received by the critics.

2014 World Cup

After the playoffs, Modrić with the Croatian team qualified for the 2014 World Cup. They entered Group A with Brazil, Mexico and Cameroon. Croatia played the opening game against Brazil, which they lost 3–1, and Modrić sustained a minor foot injury. In the second game, Croatia won 0–4 against Cameroon, but did not progress to the knockout stage because they lost 1–3 against Mexico, despite the great expectations from the Croatian public.

Euro 2016

In the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying rounds, Modrić scored his first goals for Croatia in three years, the first against Malta on his 29th birthday with a long range shot, and then he scored a penalty against Azerbaijan. On March 3, 2015, Modrić for the first time was the captain of the national team for an away draw against Azerbaijan.

In the tournament proper, Modrić scored the game-winning goal in Croatia's opening group-stage match against Turkey, a volley from 25 metres (28 yards). In doing so, he became the first Croatian to score at the finals of two separate European Championships, having previously scored against Austria in the 2008 edition. He was named Man of the Match.

Style of play

Modrić is described as a creative playmaker with great vision, able to change the course of the game with a pass, both from distances or with a solo, long-range effort. He is able to play with both feet and combines this with his swift, offensive positioning of the ball. Huddlestone said, "the main difference between Modrić and most other players is his ability to pass the ball with the outside of the boot", and the ball control, first touch and keeping the ball. A former attacking midfielder, he is also noted for his passing range and dribbling skills.

Modrić's complex game brought him consistent success in the clubs for which he has played. Although a central midfielder, Modrić has been seen to adopt a defensive midfield role in addition to playmaking, tracking back to win the ball from the opposition and prepare for counter-attack, making him one of the most versatile players, capable of playing in several midfield positions. His position in Real Madrid is numbers six, eight or ten, depending on the tactics. His role was described as the second deep-lying pivot alongside Xabi Alonso in the 2012–13 season, a classic playmaker when his creativity is needed to unlock the defence.

Reception

Modrić's skill in the game was recognized by Dragan Stojković (Piksi), who stated: "I saw a small blond boy who played exactly like I would. Ideas he was showing then on the terrain were fascinating". Piksi considered him, along with Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, as the most intelligent player. Predrag Mijatović said Modrić became "Madrid's best player, with Ronaldo". Johan Cruyff said Modrić's quality and influence on the game depend on the freedom he gets. Paul Scholes who played several times against Modrić, said in an interview with Manchester Evening News in 2011, "Of the three [Samir Nasri and Wesley Sneijder], Modrić, has been the one I have been most impressed with, [and] whenever we played Tottenham, he was the one who stood out". In 2014, Zinedine Zidane included Modrić in his best XI currently playing the game.

José Mourinho said he wanted Modrić in Real Madrid because of his influence on the game, tactical level and because he has "that artistic sense". In 2012, Carlo Ancelotti praised Modrić's technique and versatility as a midfield player, stating, "Modric is an outstanding player and in my opinion one of the best midfielders in the world right now, because he can play in more than one position". Alex Ferguson regarded him highly as a player while he played in the Premier League, saying it is fair to compare him to Paul Scholes because both are intelligent footballers with good passing consistencies and control of the game, as well as fairplay. Slaven Bilić said Modrić "is a player who makes others better, they all benefit from him being in the team. He's not selfish, he's playing for the team ... he's a complete player; good in defence, good in offence—it looks like he was born with the ball at his feet". Others managers who have praised Modrić's game include Pep Guardiola and Sven-Göran Eriksson.

Personal life

Modrić married Vanja Bosnić in May 2010 in the Croatian capital Zagreb after four years of dating. His teammate at the time, Vedran Ćorluka, was his best man. Their son, Ivano, was born on 6 June 2010. On 25 April 2013, their daughter Ema was born. Modrić generally lives a quiet family life.

Club

International

International goals

Club

Individual