Modrić began his professional career with Croatian clubDinamo Zagreb in 2003 before he went on loan spells to Bosnian-Herzegovian sideZrinjski Mostar and Croatian sideInter Zaprešić. He made his debut for Dinamo in 2005 and his great performances earned him a move toPremier League clubTottenham Hotspur in 2008. He led Spurs toUEFA Champions League qualification in 2010, the club’s first qualification in almost 50 years. In the summer of 2012, Modrić joinedReal Madrid for a £30 million transfer fee. In his second season, he won the2013–14 Champions League title and was named in thesquad of the season. AfterZinedine Zidane took over Madrid in 2016, Modrić was a key member of Madrid’s three consecutive Champions League titles from2015–16 to2017–18, and was named into the squad of the season each time. In total, he won 28 major trophies at Madrid, including sixUEFA Champions League titles, fourLa Liga titles, and twoCopa del Rey titles, making him the most decorated footballer in the club's history.[8] He left Real Madrid in July 2025, joining Serie A club AC Milan on a free transfer.
Modrić made his international debut for Croatia againstArgentina in March 2006, and scored his first international goal in a friendly match againstItaly. Modrić has anchored Croatia's "second Golden Generation", participating in every major tournament Croatia has qualified for, including every UEFA Euro from2008 to2024 as well as every FIFA World Cup from2006 to2022. At Euro 2008, he was named in theTeam of the Tournament. Modrić led Croatia to the2018 World Cup final, winning theGolden Ball as the tournament’s best player. In March 2021, he became the country'smost capped player. At the 2022 World Cup, he led the team to athird-place finish, winning theBronze Ball as the tournament’s third best player. He has also been namedCroatian Footballer of the Year a record thirteen times between 2007 and 2024. In addition to that, he was named theBTA Best Balkan Athlete of the Year for 2018.[9]
Early life
The stone house, not owned by the family, near the hamlet of Modrići on the slopes of the mountainVelebit, where Luka spent most of his early years with his grandfather.
Luka Modrić was born on 9 September 1985 in Zadar and was raised in the hamlet of Modrići, which is a part ofZaton Obrovački,[10][11] a village situated on the southern slopes of the mountainVelebit, north of the city ofZadar inSR Croatia, then a republic withinSFR Yugoslavia.[12][13][14] He is the oldest child of Stipe Modrić from Modrići and Radojka Dopuđ fromKruševo nearObrovac, both of whom initially worked in a knitwear factory.[15][16][17][18] Modrić mostly spent his early years in the stone house where his paternal grandfather usually lived after whom he was named,[10][19] located on the road above the hamlet of Modrići (this "upper house" was not owned by the family),[20][21][22] and was shepherding goats as a five-year-old.[23][24][25]
However, his childhood coincided with theCroatian War of Independence—in 1991, when the war escalated, his family were forced to flee the area.[12] Modrić's grandfather Luka was executed bySerb rebels who were part of the police ofSAO Krajina in December 1991 near his house in Modrići,[12][14][26][27] and after the family fled, the house was burned to the ground.[28][29] Modrić became a refugee and lived with his family in the Hotel Kolovare for seven years; he later moved to the Hotel Iž, both in Zadar.[12][30][31] His father joined theCroatian Army as an aeromechanic.[12][32] In those years, thousands of bombsfell on the city and football was a way to escape the reality of war.[14] He recalls it as a tough time for his family and something which shaped him as a person.[33][34][35] He also said he was mostly unaware of the war because he befriended many other children and their parents did not let it affect their childhood.[17]
In these difficult circumstances, Modrić began playing football, mostly at the hotel parking lot.[14] In 1992, he simultaneously entered the primary school and a sporting academy, the latter paid for with the little money the family had, sometimes helped by Modrić's uncle.[12][30][17] As a boy he was inspired to play football byZvonimir Boban andFrancesco Totti.[36]
Club career
Early years
Modrić began his youth career atNK Zadar in the city ofZadar.
Supported by his family, Modrić participated in representative camps and trained inNK Zadar.[12][17] He was under the tutelage of coach Domagoj Bašić and the head of the youth academy, Tomislav Bašić.[12] Tomislav Bašić, considered by Modrić as his "sporting father",[27][31] said Modrić's father made him wooden shin guards because they had little money.[12][33][35] However, Modrić later denied the story.[14] Due to being considered too young and light, he was not signed by Croatian powerhouseHajduk Split, the most representative football club in the region ofDalmatia.[12][17][37] After displaying some talent, including at a youth tournament in Italy,[27] Tomislav Bašić arranged Modrić's move toDinamo Zagreb when Modrić was a 16-year-old in late 2001.[12][14][38] After a season with Dinamo Zagreb's youth side, Modrić was loaned in 2003 toZrinjski Mostar in theBosnian Premier League.[12][27] During this period, he established his versatile style of play and became the Bosnian Premier League Player of the Year at only the age of 18.[39] Modrić later said, "Someone who can play in the Bosnian Premier League can play anywhere," referring to its physical nature.[39] The following year, he was loaned to Croatian sideInter Zaprešić. He spent one season there, helping the team to achieve second position in thePrva HNL[27][40] and a place in the preliminary round of theUEFA Cup. He also won theCroatian Football Hope of the Year award in 2004.[39] He returned to Dinamo Zagreb in 2005.[39]
Dinamo Zagreb
In the2005–06 season, Modrić signed a ten-year contract (his first long-term contract) with Dinamo Zagreb.[39] With the contract's earnings, he bought a flat in Zadar for his family.[14][27] He secured a place in Dinamo's first team, contributing 7 goals in 31 matches to help win the league.[41] In the2006–07 season, Dinamo again won the league, with Modrić making a similar contribution.[41] He was the main provider for strikerEduardo,[39] which helped Modrić win thePrva HNL Player of the Year award.[3] The following season, Modrić as a teamcaptain,[42] led Dinamo's attempt to qualify for the2007–08 UEFA Cup. In the final play-off stage, Modrić converted a penalty in the second and away fixture againstAjax; the match finished 1–1 after regular time. Dinamo won the match and play-off with a score of 3–2 afterextra time with two goals from teammateMario Mandžukić.[43] However, Dinamo Zagreb failed to advance beyond the group stage. In his last home match with the club atMaksimir Stadium, Modrić was given a standing ovation and fans held up supportive banners.[44][45] He finished his four-year tenure at Dinamo with a tally of over 31 goals and 29 assists in four league seasons,[27][46] contributing most notably in the2007–08 season when Dinamo won the secondCroatian Cup and became champions by a 28-point margin.[47] Modrić was courted byBarcelona,Arsenal andChelsea, but opted to wait leaving the club.[27][48][49]
Modrić had a slow start at Tottenham. He suffered from a knee injury early in his tenure and was labelled as a light-weight for the Premier League by sections of the media,[38][34] as well as Arsenal managerArsène Wenger.[56] Reflecting on that, Modrić said that such "critics push you forward to show people they are wrong. Maybe I look lightweight but I am a really strong person mentally and physically, and I never had any problems with my size".[38] This coincided with his poor form, leading to concerns both for himself and Croatia national team head coachSlaven Bilić.[56] Modrić spent his early days at the number 10 position, before being shifted to the left wing to play alongsideWilson Palacios.[56] Spurs teammateTom Huddlestone later said, "[H]is versatility was probably a blessing and a curse, he was that good that he had to play out of position for a bit."[56]
After the appointment of managerHarry 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 witharch-rivals Arsenal on 29 October.[57] Redknapp recognised Modrić's value to his side and planned to shape his new team around the Croatian playmaker. He scored his first competitive goal at Tottenham in a 2–2 draw againstSpartak Moscow during theUEFA Cup group stages on 18 December 2008.[58] He scored his first Premier League goals againstNewcastle United in an away defeat on 21 December, a home win in thethird round of theFA Cup againstWigan Athletic on 2 January 2009, and in an away defeat againstManchester United on 25 April 2009.[59] Using Modrić in his former position from his Dinamo days made him more effective with performances againstStoke City,[60]Hull City,[61] and most notably on 21 March when he scored the only goal in a win against Chelsea.[62]
Before the2009–10 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".[63] On 29 August 2009, during Tottenham's 2–1 win overBirmingham City, Modrić was taken off injured with a suspected calf injury.[64] The following day, it was confirmed Modrić had sustained a fracture to his rightfibula and was expected to be out for six weeks.[65] He returned on 28 December in theLondon derby againstWest Ham United, which Spurs won 2–0 with an 11th-minute goal scored by Modrić using the leg he had broken.[66] He again scored in a home win againstEverton on 28 February 2010,[67] and in an away defeat againstBurnley on 9 May.[68] On 30 May 2010, Modrić signed a new six-year contract that ran until 2016. Upon signing, 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."[69]
2010–2012: Final seasons in England
Modrić playing against Arsenal in November 2010
On 11 September 2010, Modrić scored his first goal of the2010–11 season in a 1–1 away draw atWest Bromwich Albion.[70] On 28 November, in a home match againstLiverpool, Modrić scored a goal that was later credited as anown goal byMartin Škrtel. After a draw against Manchester United atWhite 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."[71] Modrić also scored in Tottenham's 3–2 victory over Stoke City on 9 April,[72] and converted a penalty atAnfield on 15 May in a 2–0 victory over Liverpool.[73] Modrić helped Tottenham reach their first involvement in theUEFA Champions League. In the first match, againstInter Milan at theSan Siro on 20 October, he exited the match early due to injury; Spurs lost 4–3, despite the tremendous efforts ofGareth Bale.[74] On the return match at home, on 2 November, Modrić was given too much space to move and dictate the tempo of the match. He created and assisted for the first goal byRafael van der Vaart in a 3–1 victory.[75][76] In the next match, againstWerder Bremen, Modrić scored the second goal.[77] After a scoreless draw againstMilan,[78] Spurs were eliminated from the competition in the quarter-finals byReal Madrid.[79]
Modrić played 32 Premier League matches in the2010–11 season, scoring three goals, recording two assists and making the highest average number of passes per match for Spurs with 62.5 and an accuracy rate of 87.4%.[80] At the end of the season, Modrić was voted theTottenham Hotspur Player of the Year. Then-Manchester United managerSir Alex Ferguson said he would have chosen Modrić as hisPlayer of the Year for that season.[81]
"I spent four great years there with a lot of emotions, with a lot of love from the club and the fans. I enjoyed every moment with Tottenham. But in one moment you feel you need to take a step forward, to go to a higher level. I think it was the right time for me to go, but I will always be thankful to Tottenham for everything they did for me. I became a better player there and they pushed me to this level where I am at the moment."
—Luka Modrić reflecting on the negotiations with Chelsea and the move to Real Madrid in February 2014.[38]
In mid-2011, Modrić was heavily pursued by Tottenham'sLondon rivals Chelsea, who made a first bid of £22 million, which they increased to £27 million, both of which were rejected by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.[82][83] After the failed bids, Modrić announced he would welcome a move across London and that he had a "gentleman's agreement" with Levy the club would entertain offers from a "big club".[84] Speculation continued throughout the summer transfer window, culminating in Modrić refusing to play in Tottenham's opening match of the2011–12 season against Manchester United, which ended in a 3–0 loss.[85] Modrić said his "head was not in the right place" as he continued to force a move to Chelsea.[86] On the final day of the transfer window, Chelsea made an offer of £40 million that was again rejected.[87]
After failing to secure a transfer, Spurs manager Harry Redknapp told Modrić to focus on his playing and named him as a starter.[88] 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.[89] On 14 January 2012, Modrić scored the only goal in a home draw withWolverhampton Wanderers.[90] On 31 January in a 3–1 win against Wigan Athletic, he assisted for the first goal with a crossfield pass and scored the second from 20 yd (18 m).[91] For the third time that season, he was included in "Team of the Week".[92] Modrić scored his last goal for Tottenham on 2 May in a 1–4 away win againstBolton Wanderers with a powerful volley from 25 yd (23 m).[93]
On 27 August 2012, Real Madrid announced they had agreed on a deal with Tottenham for an approximate £30 million transfer fee.[94] Modrić signed a five-year contract with the Spanish club.[94][95] Two days later, he made his Real Madrid debut against Barcelona in the second leg final of the2012 Supercopa de España at theSantiago Bernabéu Stadium, replacingMesut Özil in the 83rd minute. Madrid won the match, giving Modrić his first trophy with the club 36 hours after his signing was announced.[96] Despite his positive debut, Modrić at first struggled to settle into the team under managerJosé Mourinho because of his lack of pre-season training, which he missed as a result of his ongoing transfer negotiations.[38] The presence of veteran midfieldersXabi Alonso andSami Khedira in defensive midfield, and Özil in offensive midfield, usually kept Modrić out of the starting line-up, limiting him to substitute appearances. He mostly played out-of-position for his first few months at the club. He played his firstUEFA Champions League match for Real Madrid in the group stage againstManchester 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 overReal Zaragoza inLa Liga.[97] His most notable match that year was on 4 December, when he assisted for the first two goals ofCristiano Ronaldo andJosé Callejón with cross-field passes in a 4–1 victory over Ajax in the group stage of the Champions League.[98][99][100] At the end of the year he was voted as the worst signing of the season by Spanish newspaperMarca.[101]
Modrić started in Real Madrid's home match against rivals Barcelona on 2 March 2013. From a corner kick, he assistedSergio Ramos to score the winning goal in the 82nd minute, giving Real a victory inEl Clásico. On 5 March, Modrić came on as a second-half substitute during the decisive Champions League knockout leg against ten-man Manchester United atOld 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 match, which Real Madrid won 2–1, advancing them to the quarter-finals 3–2 on aggregate.[102][103][104] This match is often seen as the turning point in Modrić's career in Real Madrid.[38] On 16 March, he replicated this performance againstMallorca, giving Real Madrid the lead with a long-range volley from 30 yd (27 m); Real Madrid won the match 5–2.[105] Modrić played as a starter in both Champions League semi-final matches againstBorussia Dortmund. In the first leg on 24 April, he played in the attacking midfield position where he did not influence the match and the team lost 4–1. On 30 April, in the second leg 2–0 victory, Modrić played as the deep-lying playmaker, making passes to the attackers and creating several chances; he was among the best-rated players that night.[106][107][108] 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 overMálaga.[109]
2013–2015: Best midfielder in Spain andLa Décima
"He's the head of midfield in a complicated environment. Every day in Madrid pressure is coming at you from all sides. Modrić not only withstands the pressure but has grown among it to be Madrid's best player, with[Cristiano] Ronaldo."
—Predrag Mijatović praises Modrić's rising performance and significance for the team in January 2014.[110]
With the arrival of new managerCarlo Ancelotti, Modrić became one of the most frequent starters in the team, being partnered in midfield with Xabi Alonso to provide a balance of defence and attack.[111][112] He was consistently the team's most efficient passer, averaging 90% accuracy inLa Liga, and also having the most ball recoveries among the squad.[38][56][111] He scored his first goal of the2013–14 season in the lastChampions League group match againstCopenhagen, making it his fifth goal for the club, all five of which were scored from the outside the penalty area.[113] Modrić scored his first goal of the Liga season in a 3–0 away win againstGetafe, his sixth goal outside the penalty area.[114] Modrić was on the pitch when Real Madrid won the2013–14 Copa del Rey after defeating Barcelona 2–1 in thefinal.[115]
In the first leg of the 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 appearance for the club,[116] Modrić assisted for the first goal in the second leg 4–0 victory overBayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final, helping Real Madrid reach the final for the first time in 12 years.[117] He was included in UEFA's Team of the Week for both legs of the semi-final.[118][119] On 24 May in thefinal, Modrić again assisted from a corner for teammate Sergio Ramos, who scored a 93rd-minute equaliser againstlocal rivalsAtlético Madrid. Real won 4–1 in extra time, marking the club's tenth Champions League title, locally known asLa Décima (lit.'the Tenth').[120] He was included in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season[121] and received theLFP award for the "Best Midfielder" of the Spanish first division for that season.[122]
In late November, Modrić sustained a thigh injury during an international match againstItaly, because of which he did not play for three months.[130] He returned in early March 2015, starting in seven matches and proving his form.[131] On 21 April, in the 3–1 home win against Málaga, he strained ligaments in his right knee, because of which he did not play until May.[132][133][134] With his injury, Real Madrid's 22-match 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.[135] Ancelotti said, "Modrić has missed most of the year and this has hurt us."[136] Modrić's influence was recognised and he was selected by professional players in theFIFA FIFPro World XI.[137]
2015–2017: Among the world's best players andLa Undécima andDuodécima
For the2015–16 season, Carlo Ancelotti was replaced byRafael Benítez under whom Modrić continued to be a key midfield player.[138][139] He sustained a muscular groin injury during an international match againstBulgaria in October, initially suggesting an absence of two-to-three weeks.[140] However, by 20 October, he had recovered in time for the match againstParis Saint-Germain.[141]
With the arrival of new managerZinedine Zidane in January 2016,[142] the relationship between them was noted in the media, with Modrić described as "master of the game",[138][143] and the crucial "connector" of the defence and attack.[144] It was seen in the first three matches, wins againstDeportivo La Coruña andSporting Gijón and a draw againstReal Betis, in which Modrić was praised for creating chances, his positioning and overall performance and influence.[138][144][145] On 7 February, Modrić scored a winning goal from outside the box in a 1–2 away win againstGranada.[146] Modrić was a regular in the starting line-up when the team won the2015–16 Champions League in thefinal against Atlético.[147] He was included in both Champions League,[148] and La Liga's team of the season.[149] For the second time, he also received theLFP award for the "Best Midfielder" of the Spanish first league.[150] He was for the second time included in theFIFA FIFPro World XI.[151]
On 18 October 2016, Modrić signed a new contract with Real Madrid, keeping him at the club until 2020.[152] Due to injury of a left knee sustained in mid-September, he missed eight matches, returning early November.[153] On 18 December, he won the2016 FIFA Club World Cup with Real Madrid, receiving theSilver Ball for his performances during the tournament.[154] In January 2017, for the first time was included in theUEFA Team of the Year (2016).[155] On 12 March 2017, in a 2–1 win over Real Betis, Modrić played his 200th match for Real Madrid.[156]
With the departure ofJames Rodríguez to Bayern Munich, Modrić inherited the team's covetednumber 10jersey for the new2017–18 season, replacing his previous number 19 jersey.[166] In December, he won the2017 FIFA Club World Cup with Real Madrid and received theGolden Ball award as the best player of the competition for his performance.[167] His first goal of the season came in a 7–1 win over Deportivo de La Coruña on 21 January 2018.[168] In the same month was for the second time included in theUEFA Team of the Year (2017).[169] Modrić was a regular starter when Real Madrid won the2017–18 UEFA Champions League, starting in thefinal victory against Liverpool which saw Madrid win their third consecutive title.[170] For his performances throughout the campaign, Modrić was included in Champions League team of the season for the third consecutive time.[171] He later received theUEFA Club Football Award for Best Midfielder of the Champions League season for the second consecutive time.[172]
After receiving the FIFA Men's Player of the Year Award, Modrić stated it "shows that we all can become the best with hard work, dedication, and belief, all dreams can come true".[188] Modrić dedicated the Ballon d'Or to "all the players who probably deserved to win it and didn't" in the past decade, includingXavi,Andrés Iniesta, andWesley Sneijder among others.[176]
2018–2021: Two-time champion of Spain
The arrival of new managerJulen Lopetegui in August 2018 saw Modrić given a steady return to the first team as a substitute due to his lack of pre-season training after the 2018 World Cup.[189][190] This included a substitute appearance in his team's 2–4 loss after extra time against Atlético Madrid in theUEFA Super Cup.[191] His first start of the season came on 1 September in a 4–1 home win againstLeganés, in which he assisted his side's third goal, scored byKarim Benzema.[192] His 100th appearance in the UEFA club competition came on 19 September in a 3–0 home win againstRoma,[23] in which he assisted the second goal, scored by Gareth Bale.[193] On 22 December, Modrić won his thirdFIFA Club World Cup, scoring the first goal and assisting for the third in thefinal againstAl Ain.[194] On 13 and 19 January 2019, Modrić for the first time scored in two consecutive league games for Real Madrid, in a 1–2 away win against Real Betis and 2–0 home win against Sevilla.[195][196] In the same month was included in theUEFA Team of the Year (2018) for the third time in his career.[197] From 27 February to 5 March, Modrić went through what he described as "the most difficult week of his football life,"[198] with Real Madrid losing to Barcelona twice and Ajax and crashing out ofCopa del Rey,title race and theChampions League, respectively.[199][200][201] Despite having had an underwhelmingseason,[202] for the fifth consecutive time he was included in theFIFA FIFPro World XI.[203]
On 27 August 2019 was the seventh anniversary of Modrić's signing with the club.[204] Although raising doubts due to age of 34 and decision to continue playing with the national team which makes him prone to injuries,[205] Modrić stated that wants to "recapture his best form thisseason".[202] His first goal of the season came on 5 October in a 4–2 home victory against Granada.[206] On 12 November was awarded with aGolden Foot award.[207] On 23 November he made two assists and scored a goal in a 3–1 home victory against Real Sociedad.[208] On 8 January 2020, Modrić withtrivela scored his fifth goal of the season and 100th career goal in a 3–1 victory againstValencia in the semi-finals of2019–20 Supercopa de España.[209] On 12 January he successfully converted a penalty in ashootout as Real Madrid beat Atlético 4–1 on penalties in thefinal.[210] Following the continuation ofLa Liga after a three-month suspension due toCOVID-19 pandemic, Modrić was praised for being one of Real Madrid's best players despite his age, resulting in numerous media outlets wondering about prolongation of his contract with the club.[211] On 16 July, he assisted Benzema's opening goal in a 2–1 victory over Villarreal, as Real Madrid secured the league title.[212][213]
On 21 October 2020, he scored his first goal of the2020–21 season in aChampions League 3–2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk.[214] The goal made him the fourth player in the history of the club to score in the competition aged 35 or more, alongsideAlfredo Di Stéfano,Ferenc Puskás andFrancisco Gento.[215] It was named the Goal of the Week by UEFA.[216] Three days later, he came off the bench to score withtrivela his first everClásico goal, as Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 3–1.[217][218] On 25 May 2021, he extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2022.[219][220]
2021–2024: Fourth La Liga, sixth Champions League, second Copa del Rey title
Modrić in a trophy presentation ceremony in front ofAlmudena Cathedral in May 2022
On 24 October 2021 of2021–22 season, Modrić played his 400th game for Real Madrid in a 2–1Clásico victory.[221] On 30 October, Modrić captained Real Madrid for the first time and assisted for the winning goal, afterMarcelo had given him the armband upon being substituted off in the 2–1 victory overElche.[222][223] On 7 December 2021, he played his 100th Champions League game and was named Man of the Match in a 2–0 victory over Inter Milan.[224] On 16 January 2022, he scored the first goal in the2022 Supercopa de España Final and was named Man of the Match, as Real Madrid defeated Athletic Bilbao 2–0.[225] The goal made him the oldest goalscorer in the history ofthe competition.[226] On 5 March, Modrić assisted and scored from outside of the box in a 4–1 victory over Real Socidedad.[227] On 6 and 12 April, Modrić assisted in both legs of Champions Leaguequarter-finals 5–4 aggregate victory against Chelsea. Praised for attacking and defensive performances in both games,[228][229][230] because of a long-rangetrivela assist forRodrygo in the crucial moment of the second leg was named Man of the Match as well as voted Player of the Week by UEFA.[231][232] His assist to Rodrygo has been called the "pass of the decade" byAlly McCoist,[233] and as "absolutely perfect, and it was just gorgeous to watch" byThierry Henry.[234] He was a regular starter on 30 April when Real Madrid won their 35th and his 3rd Spanish title,[235] on 4 May when Real Madrid won in extra time in the second leg against Manchester City, and on 28 May when he won his 5th title in thefinal of Champions League.[236][237] For the sixth time in his career, he was included in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season.[238] On 8 June 2022, he renewed his contract until 2023.[239]
On 20 August 2022, Modrić landed his first goal and assist of theseason in a 4–1 away victory overCelta Vigo in aLa Liga fixture.[240] On 6 September he scored in his firstChampions League game of the season in a 3–0 away victory againstCeltic, becoming the eighth Real Madrid player with 100 appearances in the competition.[241][242] On 11 September, he became the third Real Madrid player after Puskás andFrancisco Buyo to play 100 games while over 35 years of age.[243][244] In February 2023, Modrić was included for the sixth time in theFIFA FIFPro World XI.[245] On 6 May, he played as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 win overOsasuna in theCopa del Rey final, to achieve his second trophy in that tournament.[246] In June, he extended his contract until 2024.[247]
During the2023–24 season, with the departure of Benzema, Modrić became vice-captain of the team,[248] but also started to receive less playing time in the starting eleven due to change in formation and competition with younger players likeFederico Valverde,Jude Bellingham,Eduardo Camavinga,Aurélien Tchouaméni andDani Ceballos.[249][250][251] On 28 October, Modrić came on as a second-half substitute and made his 500th appearance for Real Madrid in all competitions in a 2–1 away win against Barcelona, to which he contributed with an assist to the last-minute winning goal by Bellingham.[252] On 27 November, in a 3–0 away win againstCádiz, Modrić set the record for most club appearances after 35 years old, with 161 appearances, breaking the previous record he held withPaco Buyo.[253] On 30 April 2024, Modrić came on as a late substitute in the first match of the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich and, at the age of 38 years and 234 days, broke the record for the oldest Real Madrid player to make an appearance in the tournament, beating Puskás by five days.[254] A few days later, on 4 May, he became the oldest player to feature in La Liga for Real Madrid, at the age of 38 years and 238 days, breaking another record of Puskás, in a 3–0 win against Cádiz.[255] Furthermore, he clinched his fourthLa Liga title with Real Madrid following that victory, thus matching Marcelo, Karim Benzema andNacho's record as the club's most decorated player with 25 trophies.[256] He extended his record with his 26th trophy in theChampions League final, following a 2–0 victory against Borussia Dortmund, same as for Nacho.[257] He also became the first player to win six finals in the competition, along withDani Carvajal.[258]
On 17 July 2024, Modrić extended his contract until 2025 and became captain of the team following the departure of Nacho.[259][260] A month later, on 14 August, he achieved his fifthSuper Cup trophy following a 2–0 victory overAtalanta, becoming the lone most decorated player in the club's history with 27 titles.[261] On 19 October, he became the oldest player to feature in a competitive match for Real Madrid in a 2–1 away victory over Celta Vigo, aged 39 years and 40 days, surpassing previous record of Puskás in 1966.[262][263] Later that year, on 18 December, Modrić clinched his record-extending 28th title with the club following a 3–0 victory overPachuca in theFIFA Intercontinental Cup final.[264]
On 3 January 2025, Modrić scored his first goal of the2024–25 season during a 2–1 away victory over Valencia, in which he became the oldest player to score for Real Madrid in all competitions, aged 39 years and 116 days, surpassing Ferenc Puskás's record set in 1966.[265][266] Additionally, he made his 561st appearance for the club, joining the top ten on Real Madrid's all-time appearances list, equaling the records of bothPirri andMíchel.[265] On 23 February, Modrić was named Man of the Match and scored a half-volley goal from 25 meters during a 2–0 away win overGirona.[267][268][269]
Although Modrić played in almost 60 games (mostly as a regular substitute), and recorded more minutes, goals and assists than in the previous season, still showing top-tier quality and importance to the club's midfield,[270][271] it was announced on 22 May 2025 that Modrić would leave Real Madrid after 13 years at the club, following the2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.[272][273] He played his last home game with the club at the Santiago Bernabéu on 24 May against Real Sociedad, receiving club's tribute, and both teams' playersguard of honour before the end of the game, due to his legacy.[274][275]Guillem Balagué described it as the "end of an era" in the club's history.[273] At the FIFA Club World Cup, Modrić played in all six of Real Madrid's matches as the club progressed to thesemi-finals,[276][277] where they were knocked out after losing 4–0 to Paris Saint-Germain.[278]
AC Milan
On 14 July 2025, Modrić joinedSerie A sideAC Milan on a free transfer, signing a one-year contract with an option for an additional year.[279][280] Playing for Milan was his childhood's dream.[281][282] Modrić made his debut in the opening match of the season on 23 August against newly promotedCremonese at theSan Siro that ended in a 2–1 defeat,[283] but his performance was praised nonetheless.[284][285] On his debut, Modrić became the oldest player to make a debut in Serie A, surpassing the previous record held byEmpoli goalkeeperMaurizio Pugliesi.[286] In his second game, a 2–0 win away againstLecce, Modrić made an assist and was Milan's MVP of the match.[287] In his third game, a home 1–0 win againstBologna, Modrić scored the winning and his first goal in Serie A, receiving Milan's MVP for the second time in a row and his first Serie A Panini MVP.[288][289]
International career
Modrić began his international career at youth level, playing for the Croatianunder-15,under-17,under-18,under-19 andunder-21 teams.[39] He debuted in March 2001 for the under-15 team coached byMartin Novoselac, but nevertheless his talent and psychological maturity, he did not become a regular starter and leading player until physically strengthened and debuted for under-18. Novoselac considers him as a model for all young players because is a result of a gradual and continuous work and effort, as well as talent.[290] Modrić made his full international debut forCroatia on 1 March 2006 in a friendly match againstArgentina inBasel, which Croatia won 3–2.[39]
2006–2008: First major tournaments
Modrić made two appearances at the2006 FIFA World Cup finals as a substitute in the group fixtures againstJapan[291] andAustralia.[292] 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 overworld champions Italy on 16 August 2006 inLivorno.[293]
Modrić's performances ensured a regular place in the international side and he gave a successful showing in Croatia'sUEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, which included home and away victories againstEngland.[294][295] As a young midfielder, much was expected of Modrić; he was often dubbed "the Croatian Cruyff".[49][296] Modrić scored Croatia's first goal ofEuro 2008, converting a penalty in the fourth minute of their 1–0 victory against hostsAustria on 8 June 2008 and becoming the team's youngest ever goalscorer at theEuropean Championships (aged 22 years and 273 days).[297][298] It was also the fastest penalty ever awarded and scored in the European Championships history.[299] He continued to impress at the tournament and was namedUEFAMan of the Match in Croatia's next match when they defeated one of the pre-tournament favourites and eventualfinalistsGermany.[300] In the quarter-final againstTurkey, Modrić took advantage of a mistake by veteran Turkish goalkeeperRüştü Reçber, and crossed to teammateIvan Klasnić for the first goal of the match with one minute of extra time remaining, butSemih Şentürk almost immediately equalised for Turkey. 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.[301] At the end of the competition, Modrić was included in theUEFA Team of the Tournament, becoming only the second Croatian to achieve this honour afterDavor Šuker.[302]
2008–2016: Subsequent struggles
In the2010 World Cup qualifiers, Modrić scored three goals, againstKazakhstan,[303]Andorra,[304] andUkraine;[305] matchingIvica Olić,Ivan Rakitić and Eduardo. The team failed to qualify finishing one point behind second-placed Ukraine. After appearing in all of theirUEFA Euro 2012 qualifying matches and scoring a goal againstIsrael,[306] Modrić started in all three of Croatiagroup stage matches against theRepublic of Ireland, Italy andSpain, but the team failed to progress. His most notable performance was against Spain. The most memorable moment of the match came when Modrić picked the ball on the halfway line skipping Spain's midfield trio, rushing down on the right to reach the penalty area where he evaded a defender and with atrivela crossed from 18 yd (16 m) to Ivan Rakitić, butIker Casillas saved this attempt.[307][308] Because Croatia did not advance from the group stage, Modrić was not included in theTeam of the Tournament, althoughThe Daily Telegraph included him in the best 11 until the semi-finals,[309] and his play was well received by critics.[310][311]
After theplayoffs, Modrić with the Croatian team qualified for the2014 World Cup. They enteredGroup A with hostsBrazil,Mexico andCameroon. Croatia played the opening match against Brazil, which they lost 3–1,[312] and Modrić sustained a minor foot injury.[313][314] In the second match, Croatia won 4–0 against Cameroon,[315] but did not progress to the knockout stage after losing 3–1 to Mexico,[316] despite the great expectations from the Croatian press and public.[317]
In theEuro 2016 qualifying rounds, Modrić scored his first goals for Croatia in three years, the first againstMalta on his 29th birthday with a long-range shot,[318] then a penalty againstAzerbaijan.[319] On 3 March 2015, Modrić captained Croatia for the first time, in an away draw against Azerbaijan.[320] In thetournament proper, Modrić scored the match-winning goal in Croatia's openinggroup stage match against Turkey, avolley from 25 metres (28 yards).[321] In so doing, he became the first Croatian to score at the finals of two separate European Championships, having previously scored against Austria in 2008.[322] He was named Man of the Match.[321] Modrić was forced to miss the crucial fixture against Spain on 21 June because of a minor muscle injury.[323][324] However, Croatia won and topped the group,[325] but lost toPortugal 0–1 in extra-time in theround of 16.[326]
For Croatia's2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, Modrić became the new team captain, followingDarijo Srna's retirement.[327] Croatia started the campaign well; however, following 1–0 defeats toIceland[328] and Turkey[329] and a 1–1 draw withFinland (in which Modrić made his100th appearance for the national team),[330][331] Croatia seriously compromised their qualification for the tournament.[332][333] This caused Modrić to publicly state his lack of confidence in coachAnte Čačić.[334][335][336] Čačić was soon replaced byZlatko Dalić ahead of Croatia's final qualifier against Ukraine away,[337] which Croatia won 2–0 and won a place in theplay-offs.[338] Modrić scored a penalty in the 4–1 victory overGreece in the second qualifying round,[339] enabling his team to qualify for the World Cup.
Croatia were placed inGroup D alongside Argentina, Iceland andNigeria. During the tournament, Modrić—along with Ivan Rakitić and Mario Mandžukić—were referred to asCroatia's second "Golden Generation".[340][341] In Croatia's opening win against Nigeria, Modrić once again successfully executed a penalty kick and was named Man of the Match.[342][343] He also scored in Croatia's subsequent 3–0 win over Argentina with a long-range shot from 25 yards (23 metres),[344] also being named Man of the Match.[345][346] After also featuring in the final group stage match, against Iceland, his performances in the first round of the tournament saw him ranked byFourFourTwo,The Daily Telegraph andESPN as the best player of the group stage.[347][348][349]
In theround of 16 againstDenmark on 1 July, with the score tied at 1–1, Modrić created a goalscoring opportunity forAnte Rebić in the second half of extra-time, who was brought down in the penalty area; Modrić proceeded to take the penalty, but his strike was saved byKasper Schmeichel. However, Modrić managed to score his spot-kick during the ensuing penalty shoot-out and Croatia advanced to the next round following a 3–2 victory on penalties.[350][351][352] In thequarter-finals against hostsRussia on 7 July, Modrić provided an assist in extra-time forDomagoj Vida from a corner kick, and once again scored in the victorious penalty shoot-out following a 2–2 draw; he was named Man of the Match for the third time in the tournament.[353][354] In the semi-final against England on 11 July, Croatia advanced to theWorld Cup final for the first time in their history following a 2–1 victory in extra time.[355] It was reported two days before the final match that Modrić ran the most miles out of any player and was third by created chances, as well had most dribbles per match and completed passes in the opponent's half in his team.[356] Although Croatia were beaten 4–2 byFrance in the final on 15 July,[357] Modrić was awarded theGolden Ball for the best player of the tournament,[173] and was included in theTeam of the Tournament.[358][359] After the squad's huge welcome in Zagreb,[360] Modrić and his teammatesDanijel Subašić,Šime Vrsaljko andDominik Livaković were welcomed by tens of thousands of people in their hometown of Zadar.[361]
During theEuro 2020 qualifying rounds, Modrić scored two goals; a penalty in the away 1–1 draw with Azerbaijan and a solo-effort in the home 3–0 victory overHungary as Croatia topped the group and qualified for thetournament.[364][365] However, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was postponed for a year.[366] On 24 March 2021, Modrić made his 134th appearance for the national team in a 1–02022 World Cup qualifying defeat toSlovenia, equalling Darijo Srna as the most capped player in the history of the team.[367] Three days later, in a 1–0 World Cup qualifying victory overCyprus, he surpassed Srna's record.[368][369]
Modrić was selected to thefinal squad for the UEFA Euro 2020 on 17 May.[370] Despite Croatia's poor showings in their first twogroup stage games, Modrić was named the Man of the Match in the second one, a 1–1 draw with theCzech Republic on 18 June.[371] Four days later, in the 3–1 victory overScotland, with atrivela he scored Croatia's second goal and providedIvan Perišić with an assist for the third goal as Croatia progressed to theround of 16.[372] Modrić's goal made him Croatia's oldest ever goalscorer at the European Championships (aged 35 years and 286 days), while simultaneously holding the record for the youngest goalscorer that he set in 2008.[298]
During the 2022 World Cup qualifying, Modrić scored three times and assisted twice in seven appearances.[373] On 13 June 2022, he scored a penalty in a 1–0 away win over France in the2022–23 UEFA Nations League A, to be Croatia's first ever win against the latter.[374] On 25 September, he scored opening goal in the last group's game and 3–1 away victory against Austria,[375] helping the team advance to the2023 UEFA Nations League Finals.[376] On 9 November, Modrić was selected to Croatia'sfinal squad for the2022 FIFA World Cup.[377] In the first and thirdgroup stage games againstMorocco andBelgium, he was named the Man of the Match.[378] He became the first player to play in both the European Championship and the World Cup in three different decades.[379] In theround of 16 andquarter-finals, Croatia advanced on penalties against Japan and Brazil, with Modrić scoring in the shoot-out against Brazil,[380][381] and captaining Croatia to a second consecutive World Cupsemi-final where they lost 3–0 to Argentina. In thethird place play-off,[382] Croatia prevailed 2–1 over Morocco,[383][384] as Modrić won theBronze Ball.[385]
Produced byFulwell 73,FIFA releasedCaptains in 2022, an eight-part sportsdocuseries following six national team captains in their respective 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification campaigns.[386] Modrić, representing Croatia, starred in the first season alongside five other international footballers. It was released byNetflix and also shown on FIFA's own streaming platform,FIFA+.[387]
2023–present: Nations League finals and Euro 2024 disappointment
On 25 March 2023, in aUEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match againstWales, Modrić became the oldest ever player to play a game for Croatia―aged 37 years, 6 months and 16 days―surpassingDražen Ladić's record set in 1999.[388]
On 14 June 2023, Modrić was widely praised for his performance as he led Croatia to victory over Netherlands (4–2, a.e.t.) at theDe Kuip inRotterdam, in the semi-finals of the2023 UEFA Nations League Finals.[389] In the match, Modrić won apenalty being brought down byCody Gakpo, which was converted byAndrej Kramarić. As the game went toextra time, he assistedBruno Petković for the winner and closed the win scoring a penalty himself. Modrić was subsequently named Man of the match.[390][391][392][393] Modrić finished second place as Croatia eventually lost to Spain 5–4 on penalties in thefinal, one of which he scored, following a 0–0 draw after extra time.[394]
On 20 May 2024, Modrić was included in thefinal squad for theUEFA Euro 2024.[395] He became one of only three players to feature in five European Championships.[396] In the lastgroup stage match againstItaly, he had his penalty saved byGianluigi Donnarumma, but scored a goal a minute later, becoming the oldest goalscorer at the European competition and overpassingIvica Vastić for 32 days.[397] However, he was awarded player of the match, despite a stoppage-time equalizer fromMattia Zaccagni that resulted in a 1–1 draw, which eliminated his team from the tournament.[398]
"Not only is he a very hard worker, he has a good brain and he provided some calmness and composure to themidfield. His passing was neat and his contribution was outstanding. He was not only winning the ball, he was passing well. We thought that he was very influential. He did not just work hard, he made the other people play well around him".
A diminutive and technically gifted midfielder, Modrić is typically deployed as a creativeplaymaker and sets the tempo of the match by controlling possession from the middle of the pitch. He has been widely applauded by many footballing pundits, managers, and fellow players for his swift passing and long range shots, both often in the style of thetrivela technique, as well as his composure and ability to evade tackles under pressure.[401][402][56][403][404][405] He is also noted for his tactical intelligence and versatility in both attack and defence, as well as his vision, interpretation of space, and work rate.[406] A formerattacking midfielder, Modrić is considered a veteran of the "pre-assist" or build-up play, often creating space and time for his teammates to shoot or deliver goal-bound passes to other players.[407][408][409][410] He is also effective at takingset pieces, particularlycorners or widefree kicks.[411]
Modrić has been integral to the success of both Real Madrid and the Croatia national team, having won numerous individual honours for his contributions to club and country.[136][412] His playstyle has earned him several nicknames as dubbed by the media and fandom, including "the midfield maestro", "the magician", "the puppet master", among others.[413][407][414][415][416][417]
Position
Modrić's complex game has brought him consistent success in the clubs for which he has played. Initially atrequartista or attacking midfielder at Dinamo Zagreb and in his early career at Tottenham, in the 2010–11 season he flourished in a central midfield role as adeep-lying playmaker (regista) who conducts the attack and creates chances for teammates.[418] Afterwards, Modrić acknowledged the role thatHarry Redknapp played in shaping of deep-lying his style, saying that dropping back enabled him "to read the game better" and show his full "creativity".[419] Although acentral midfielder, Modrić is also a hard-working player who has been seen to adopt adefensive midfield role in addition to playmaking, tracking back to win the ball from the opposition and prepare for a counter-attack, making him one of the most versatile players in the world, capable of playing in severalmidfield positions.[420][421] According toJonathan Wilson, in a 4–2–3–1 system Modrić is a third type of aholding midfielder, being "neither entirely destructive or creative", but a "carrier" who – courtesy of his dribbling ability and attacking drive – is "capable of making late runs or carrying the ball at his feet", but in his case "with a hint ofregista".[422][423][424] As such, his role has also been likened to that of amezzala, in Italian football jargon, namely an offensive–mindedbox-to-box or central midfielder.[410]
The switch to a more deep-lying position reduced his number of assists and goals, as well as his shot per game count (1.2), although his game was no longer based on being a goal threat; despite this, he had the second-highest count of key passes per game (2.06) in the team, as well as a very high pass accuracy rate (87%), with the highest passes per game count (62.5) in the team, the most long balls per game (5.6), the most successfuldribbles (2.2), interceptions (2.5), and the highest tackle (1.9) count per game among others, high statistics which placed him amongst the top midfielders of the Premier League.[418][425] By the 2011–12 season statistically he was among the top-rated central and all-round midfielders across thetop five leagues, alongside players likeXabi Alonso,Andrea Pirlo,Bastian Schweinsteiger andXavi.[426][427]
Upon Modrić's arrival to Real Madrid, his midfield position was described asnumbers six (defensive), eight (central) or ten (attacking), depending on the tactics,[428] and his role was described as the second deep-lying pivot alongside Xabi Alonso in the 2012–13 season, a classic deep-lying playmaker whose creativity was needed to dictate his team's play and unlock the opposing defence.[429][430] In the first half of the 2013–14 season, during which he formed an effective central midfield partnership with Alonso andÁngel Di María, Modrić made more tackles (56) than any other Real Madrid player in La Liga with an average number of 2.86 tackles per match, as well as making the most completed passes (878) in the opposition half of the pitch among Real Madrid players, with the highest passing accuracy in La Liga (90%, also the highest of any midfielder in Europe's top five leagues who have made five or more assists during the season).[38] In the 2014–15 season, with the arrival ofToni Kroos, Real Madrid no longer had an effective and natural ball-winner alongside their playmakers in midfield, while the team possessed many attackers. Therefore, in addition to producing the highest count of passes (60.7–64.7) and key passes per match (0.8–1.2) within the team, both Modrić and Kroos had more defensive responsibility to set the rhythm of the team's gameplay in midfield and orchestrate counterattacks.[124][431] Modrić's average passing accuracy during the season was between 91.6 and 92%, while his highest completion rate in a single match occurred in October against Barcelona when he completed all 42 attempted passes.[432] For all of 2014, Modrić's dribble attempts (75) at a success rate of 76% were second in Europe's top five leagues.[433] During the 2015–16 season, although he placed only 12th in terms of chances created, almost all players above him were either forwards or attacking midfielders with no defensive responsibilities.[408]
Reception
Considered the most versatile and among critical members of the national and club team, Modrić's technical ability has been heralded by both players and coaches.
Modrić is widely regarded as one of the best and most well-rounded and effective midfielders of all time.[6] According to Jonathan Wilson, what sets Modrić apart from traditional playmakers is his simultaneous focus on defensive and attacking duties.[434][435]Marcelo Bielsa said that "the hardest player to find in football is theeight. I named it 'the Modric'. This position demands a player with the defensive skills of a numbersix and the offensive prowess of a numberten. Modric is a phenomenal player who fully understands the game and has the ability to defend, the skills to attack and understanding the game in both directions".[436]
He has been consistently praised by some of the sport's most experienced managers, including Johan Cruyff,[443]Alex Ferguson,[437]Pep Guardiola,[444] andSven-Göran Eriksson among others.[445] From those who managed him,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".[428]Carlo Ancelotti praised Modrić's technique and versatility making him "one of the best midfielders in the world right now, because he can play in more than one position".[446][447]Zinedine Zidane included him in his best XI currently playing the game,[448] and in 2016 predicted that Modrić would win Ballon d'Or.[54]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".[56]
Aside from playing football, Modrić became an investor. In 2020, he founded real estate company Modrić Family SL in Madrid.[461] In 2022, he invested in Croatian-American startup company Sportening,[461] and three years later became a 50% co-owner of Zeppelin Craft Brewery in Croatia.[462]
In April 2025, Modrić became a minority co-owner of Welsh football clubSwansea City.[463][464]
Personal life
Modrić married Vanja Bosnić in May 2010 in the Croatian capitalZagreb in a private ceremony after four years of dating,[465] and a year later in theCatholic Church.[466] They have three children.[467][468][469][470] Modrić is a cousin of Australian footballerMark Viduka,[471] and the godfather ofMateo Kovačić's son Ivan.[472] Modrić generally maintains a low profile outside of football.[38][473]
In late 2019, Modrić released hisautobiographyMoja igra (My Game), co-written by prominent Croatian sports journalist Robert Matteoni.[474][475] Particular emphasis in autobiography was placed on Modrić'schildhood, growing up in war conditions and development of a football career, with fundamental topics being football, family and friends.[476]
Philanthropy
Out of his philanthropic activities which became publicly confirmed, because he wishes to be anonymous, in 2017 Modrić made a substantial donation to an autism association in Zadar.[477] In 2020, during theCOVID-19 pandemic, he donated €100,000 for the purchase of a mobile X-ray machine to a hospital in Zadar, previously also donating a hospital in Zagreb.[478]
Legal issues
In March 2018, in anembezzlement andtax evasion trial against the former Dinamo Zagreb executive,Zdravko Mamić, Modrić was called as a witness.[479] Throughout the mid-late 2000s, Modrić signed multiple contracts with Mamić to play at Dinamo Zagreb.[480][481] Modrićannexed most of his Tottenham transfer fee to Mamić because he was the broker of the move and gave Modrić financial backing early on in his career.[482][483] Despite stating in 2017 that he signed the annexe clause of the contract ten years earlier, in his testimony he stated that he signed it in 2004, the year of his first contract. Modrić wascharged withperjury for stating that he annexed his fee at an earlier date than he allegedly had.[479] Facing the judge, he said, "I came here to state my defence and tell the truth, like every time so far. My conscience is clear".[481][484] TheCroatian Football Federation stood behind Modrić,[481] but a part of the Croatian public, frustrated with the corruption in Croatian football, perceived the alleged perjury as a defence of Mamić and became critical of Modrić.[485][486][487] Some international news outlets praised him for dealing with the stress of his legal situation while performing with the Croatian team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[488] In October and December 2018, the perjury charge was rejected by the Croatian courts.[489][490]
^One appearance in Supercopa de España, one appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
^One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and one goal in FIFA Club World Cup
^Two appearances in Supercopa de España, one appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
^One appearance in Supercopa de España, one appearance in UEFA Super Cup, one appearance inFIFA Intercontinental Cup, six appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
Tweedale, Alistair (17 September 2014). "Modest Modric Madrid's Superstar in the Shadows". WhoScored.Com. Retrieved 16 June 2018. "It is fair to say withXavi's decline Modric is now ahead of him in the pecking order, and he,Kroos,Cesc Fàbregas andAndrea Pirlo are now arguably the best technical central midfielders on the planet at present, and some might even say that Modric is, or could soon be, leading the pack."
Burton, Chris. (6 October 2017). "Luka Modric one of the best midfielder ever". Goal.com. Retrieved 16 June 2018. "Croatian playmaker Modric is yet to earn similar acclaim, amid a Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi duopoly of top individual awards, but his undoubted quality is not lost on those in Madrid and around the world."
Moallim, Mohamed (29 December 2017). "Luka Modric is the best Croatian player in history".Squawka. Retrieved 1 July 2018. "There is no way of looking at this in which he (Modric) doesn't deserve the title as the best [Croatian] in history".
Associated Press (29 June 2018). "Modric From 'Different Planet', Says Rakitic".The New York Times. Retrieved 29 June 2018. "The technically gifted Prosinecki has long been seen as Croatia's all-time best player, but even he has recently said Modric surpasses him... "IfRobert Prosinecki said that, it has to be true because nobody knows about football more than Prosinecki. And I would agree with him completely," Rakitic said. "Not only that Luka is the best player ever, but he is a great person, a leader and we are following him".
^abcdefghijkl"Kako je stvaran Luka Modrić" [Development of Luka Modrić] (in Croatian). Nogometni-magazin. 30 December 2007. Archived from the original on 18 September 2018. Retrieved20 January 2016.
^Radoš, Ivica (9 March 2013)."Luka Modrić, odrastanje i karijera" [Luka Modrić, rising up and career].Večernji list (in Croatian).Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved23 June 2018.
^Modrić & Matteoni 2020, p. 5–6:Kvartirić, Croatia. A small stone house by the side of the road, the last one before the rocky slopes of the Velebit mountains. Six and a half kilometres from my parents' home in Zaton Obrovački. This house was the centre of my little world until 1991, when we had to run away. This is where my father's parents lived: Grandpa Luka and Grandma Jela. My grandfather was a road mender, who maintained the old state road that connected Dalmatia and Lika, the coast and the mountains of Croatia. My grandmother was a housekeeper, a hardworking and modest woman. The house they lived in was owned by the road maintenance company, but back then I knew it only as my grandparents' home. We called it the 'upper house'. I never met my other grandfather, Petar, my mothers's father. He died before I was born. His wife, Grandma Manda, still lives in Obrovac. My parents worked at Trio Clothes Factory in Obrovac, four kilometres from our house. That's where they met.
^abElvir Islamović (18 September 2018)."How brilliant is Madrid and Croatia's Luka Modrić?".UEFA.Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved24 September 2018.Ahead of the 2018 World Cup final, video footage emerged of the five-year-old Modrić shepherding goats in Croatia's Velebit mountains.
^abTweedale, Alistair (17 September 2014)."Player Focus: Modest Modric Madrid's Superstar in the Shadows". WhoScored.com.Archived from the original on 14 September 2017. Retrieved14 July 2017.It is fair to say with Xavi's decline Modric is now ahead of him in the pecking order, and he, Kroos, Cesc Fàbregas and Andrea Pirlo are now arguably the best technical central midfielders on the planet at present, and some might even say that Modric is, or could soon be, leading the pack.
^Jacob Steinberg; Niall McVeigh (3 December 2018)."Ballon d'Or 2018: Luka Modric and Ada Hegerberg win awards – as it happened".The Guardian.Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved3 December 2018....He's the first Croatian to win, the first man from what was once Yugoslavia to win, and the first from Eastern Europe since Andriy Shevchenko in 2004.
Lara, Miguel Ángel; Clancy, Conor (13 July 2020)."Modric imposes himself again".Marca. Spain.Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved16 July 2020.
Siguero, Santiago; Munday, Billy (20 June 2020)."Modric keeps his word".Marca. Spain.Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved16 July 2020.
Cortegana, Mario (15 July 2020)."Modric rejuvenece".AS.com (in Spanish).Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved16 July 2020.
Villar, Álvaro Benito (14 July 2020)."La enésima juventud de Modric".AS.com (in Spanish).Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved16 July 2020.
^Miladin, Neven (22 June 2006)."Hrvatska 2–2 Australija: Dvaput vodili i ispali sa SP-a" [Croatia 2–2 Australia: Twice led and dropped from the World Cup] (in Croatian). Nogometni-magazin. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved20 January 2016.
^Callaghan, Joe (30 June 2018)."Modric magic at heart of Croatian soccer's golden generation".Toronto Star.Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved5 July 2018.The golden generation – with Modric, Rakitic and striker Mario Mandzukic as its pillars – have more often watched such efforts go up in flames.
^Phil McNulty (11 July 2018)."Croatia 2–1 England".BBC Sport.Archived from the original on 16 July 2018. Retrieved11 July 2018.
^O'Hanlon, Ryan (13 July 2018)."Who Is the Defining Player of the 2018 World Cup?".The Ringer.Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved13 July 2018.The most impressive thing about Modric's World Cup might be how much of him there's been. Despite declining club usage, he's played 40 more minutes than anyone else in Russia—goalkeepers, who never get subbed, included. He's created more chances than all but three players, he's leading his team in dribbles per game and completed passes in the final third, and he's tied with Kane for the most Man of the Match awards.
^"Modrić treba Realu za plan C" [Modric needs to Real for plan C].Sportske Novosti (in Croatian). 27 September 2012. Archived fromthe original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved31 March 2013.
^"Modric From 'Different Planet', Says Rakitic".The New York Times. 29 June 2018. Retrieved29 June 2018.The technically gifted Prosinecki has long been seen as Croatia's all-time best player, but even he has recently said Modric surpasses him... "If Robert Prosinecki said that, it has to be true because nobody knows about football more than Prosinecki. And I would agree with him completely," Rakitic said. "Not only that Luka is the best player ever, but he is a great person, a leader and we are following him."
^Duvnjak, Katarina (2020).Brendiranje nogometaša – studija slučaja Luke Modrića [Branding of Football Players: The Case of Luka Modrić] (Thesis) (in Croatian). Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Zagreb. pp. 26–33. Archived fromthe original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved23 February 2023.
^Džakmić, Vehmir (2020).Narativ djetinjstva u autobiografiji Luke Modrića [The Narrative of Childhood in the Autobiography of Luka Modrić] (Thesis) (in Croatian). Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Zagreb. Archived fromthe original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved23 February 2023.
^abDe Launey, Guy (14 July 2018)."Croatia's Luka Modric: Chequered past haunts World Cup star".BBC News. Retrieved14 July 2018.Modric was supposed to be the star witness at the trial. He had told anti-corruption investigators that Mamic had altered paperwork in order to divert millions of euros of the transfer fee to his own pocket, swindling both Dinamo and Croatia's tax authorities. Many football fans had been longing for Mamic to be brought to justice for years. Dinamo supporters accused him of carrying out a "silent privatisation" of their club, which is supposed to be a non-profit organisation owned by its members.
^"Modrić konačno progovorio o suđenju Zdravku Mamiću: To je velika nepravda!" [Modric finally spoke about the trial of Zdravko Mamic: It is a great injustice!] (in Croatian). Večernji list. 28 May 2018. Retrieved13 July 2018.I svojim igrama u kvalifikacijama i u Real Madridu pokazao sam da me to ništa ne ometa. Znam da mi je savjest čista, to je meni najbitnije. Mislim da je sve ovo što mi se događa velika nepravda, ali što je tu je, vjerojatno tu ima i neke moje krivice, no dobro... Ponavljam, najbitnije je da mi je savjest čista i da mi te stvari ne smetaju i ne utječu na moju izvedbu na terenu
^Williams, Aidan (23 August 2018)."The controversy that has damaged Luka Modrić's reputation for many in his homeland".These Football Times. Retrieved30 August 2018.That he went on to play with such style and success in the World Cup is simply extraordinary. As one Guardian journalist put it, "To plays as well as he has would be remarkable under normal circumstances, but to do so with the looming prospect of a trial on his mind has been astounding."
^"Prvi Nogometni Oscar" [First Football Oscar] (in Croatian). Sportske Novosti. 8 June 2013. Archived fromthe original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved2 June 2014.
^"Nogometni Oscar 2016" [Football Oscar 2016] (in Croatian). Hrvatska udruga "Nogometni sindikat". Archived fromthe original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved21 June 2016.
^"Trofej Nogometaš 2017" (in Croatian). Hrvatska udruga "Nogometni sindikat". Archived fromthe original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved8 July 2017.
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