Luka Modric is one of the best fielders in the world. The 36-year-old Croatian is one of the most decorated players in the history of his country and in this article, we will take a look at some lesser-known facts about him.
Top 10 facts you didn’t know about Luka Modric
He played more minutes than any other player at the 2018 World Cup
Modric racked up 694 minutes during the World Cup, where he led Croatia into the finals. Modric was awarded the golden ball as the best player of the tournament despite coming up short against France.
Made in Bosnia
After being signed by Dinamo Zagreb, Modric was loaned to Inter Zapresic in Bosnia, which is the most physical league in Europe. At 18, he won the Bosnian League Player of the Year Award for his performance.
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Modric idolized Ronaldo
While he would go on to be a teammate of CR7, Luka Modric idolized the original Ronaldo. His first shin pads had a photo of the Brazilian Ronaldo on them, which he used in the Bosnian League, before eventually giving them away.
Carlo Ancelotti is his favorite manager
Back in 2016, Modric admitted that Carlo Ancelotti was his favorite manager. "We had a great relationship, we still have a good one; that’s why I would pick him,” he said. And in 2022, the Real Madrid number 10 is playing under his favorite manager once again and thriving.
Rough end to Tottenham spell
After making his intention to move to Real Madrid clear, Modric had to skip training and get fined by Tottenham to force a move. Since then, he has been able to put this behavior behind him and is considered one of the top professionals in the squad.
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Born in Modrici
Plural for ‘Modric’, this is indeed the village where one of Croatia’s finest talents grew up and first put on a pair of boots. The house where Modric lived as a child lies along a stretch of the narrow, winding road leading up to the Velebit mountain range. The area which is isolated and secluded is embedded in dark history. Just over twenty years ago, the area was renowned for some vulgar war crimes and it’s thought that landmines can still be found there today.
Caught up in the Croatian war of independence
Modric was far too young to ever actually play a role in the conflict, but he has horrifying memories of the war nonetheless. In 1991, when Modric was just six-years-old, the area in which he was born was captured by local Croatian Serb rebels and his grandfather was murdered by them in cold blood when attending to the cattle. It was a horrific experience for a child to be subjected to and the Modric family had to consequently flee the area and stay as refugees in a large hotel in Zadar.
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Could’ve joined Barcelona
Over a decade, Luka Modric has established himself as an undisputed Real Madrid legend. But, he could’ve joined Barcelona in 2008, saying that he’d love to play for them. He eventually ended up moving to Tottenham Hotspur from Dinamo Zagreb, and then switched to Real Madrid, where he is still a key figure.
The First Real Madrid appearance ended with a trophy
After coming on for Mesut Ozil in the Supercopa final, Modric’s first appearance for Los Blancos ended with them lifting the trophy. Interestingly, his debut was against Barcelona with the aggregate score tied at 4-4.
Voted the worst signing of 2012
Ten years onwards, this seems to be the most ridiculous thing when it comes to Luka Modric. But, it happened. He had a very poor start during the 2012 season with the Spanish capital and was eventually named the worst signing of the year. The worst signing of 2012 went on to win the Ballon d’Or six years later with the same club.
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