Luka Modric- The King of The Balkans
Luka Modrić | King of the Balkans
It needs hardly any debate to the fact that Luka Modrić is one of the best players in the world. Croatian midfielder who has cemented his legacy as a Real Madrid Great is still going strong and doing wonders at the age of 36. It’s as if he’s aging like a fine wine. His magnificent performance highlighted with a tremendous goal against Athletic Bilbao in the Supercopa de España final helped Real Madrid secure their first trophy of the season. “ Just how long this magician will keep up like this? ” is something we all can only wonder but the journey to this greatness hasn’t been an easy one for him.
Luka Modrić’s childhood was a tough one. When he was six, his grandfather that took so much care of Lukita, was shot dead. Living life of a war refugee after getting forced to leave his war-torn homeland.. couldn’t hold back the ambitions of him kicking the ball. These difficulties and hardships for his family just couldn’t stop Luka Modrić from becoming what he is today.
Leaving the tough times behind, football was an escape from reality for Luka Modrić. Little Lukita was inspired by the greatness of Italian legend Francesco Totti and Croat hero Zvonimir Boban. After many coaches passed on Luka Modrić and wrote him off for being too frail and lightweight, he got a Dinamo Zagreb trial with the help of a coach he played for in Zadar, Tomislav Bašić, who used his contacts and references. Tomislav Bašić was also Modrić’s sporting father who guided the young Lukita.
Young teen Luka Modrić joined Dinamo Zagreb youth side and never had to look back. During his loan spell at Zrinjski Mostar, a Bosnian Premier League side, 18 year old Modrić was running riot. He impressed really well and became the Bosnian Premier League’s Player of the Year. Following year, he spent one season at Inter Zaprešić, a Croatian side. He helped the side secure a second-placed finish in the league.
Since his debut at Dinamo Zagreb in 2005, he had won multiple league titles and domestic cups. His exploits earned him an international cap for Croatia. In 2007, Modrić was named the Prva NHL Player of the Year award. After a great and promising start to his career, Luka Modrić was, as expected, getting interests from multiple clubs. After almost a year’s worth of efforts and works to sign Luka, Tottenham Hotspur finally signed him in 2008.
Luka Modrić did not quite get instant success after moving to the Premier League. With a slow start and early struggles, the criticisms of him not being physically imposing enough was still there. Harry Redknapp’s appointment as Spurs manager was something that opened the book for Luka Modrić at the Premier League. He started to explode with immense brilliance, versatility and work-ethic. Luka Modrić spent four wonderful season at Spurs, showing to the world what he was capable of. Even London rivals Chelsea tried to sign the Croatian sensation in 2011, though failed. With consistency of performances and individual brilliance combined with his touch of class. Young Lukita with glimpse of hopes and promises got better and better each season. Little Wizard was a beauty to watch out very closely for the skillset he possessed. He had insane passing range, vision and he could dictate the team’s play. He was the heartbeat of the side contributing to team’s offensive as well as defensive. For his personal development and growth into becoming World Class individual to prove the critics wrong during his tenure at Tottenham Hotspur is something to remember although there are no trophies to show. His talents flourished over there and played significant part in building the pedigree that he holds right now.
Luka Modrić’s time at Spurs which was an amazing stint in North London, had to see it’s end after big clubs grew interest more and more for his service. Particularly… Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho, who asked Florentino Perez to sign him at Real Madrid, had admiration and praises for Luka Modrić’s talents. He played a vital role in helping make the transfer happen as dealing with Daniel Levy was indeed a difficult one. A dramatic transfer saga concluded as Los Blancos signed Luka Modrić in the summer of 2012.
Luka Modrić made his Real Madrid debut as a late substitute in the Supercopa de España against FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu. With El Clásico win for a trophy in his first match, it was a bright beginning for him. But getting adapted into the star-studded Real Madrid side wasn’t an easy task. A 100-point league win on the season prior, likes of Xabi Alonso, Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira already established in the starting line-up, he had the pressure to perform as soon as he joined in order to nail a starting spot. His struggles, Spanish media pressure, superhigh expectations, what more? Voted as the Worst signing of the year by Spanish media was adding fuel to the fire.
You have to have the mentality of the highest order to make it to the top of Real Madrid. Life at Bernabéu is not everyone’s cup of tea. Luka Modrić, with his sheer brilliance and class, became pivotal to Real Madrid just the following year of his signing. He was a regular face in the team. But the peak of Real Madrid midfield was when Luka Modrić was joined by Casemiro and Toni Kroos forming which is undoubtedly one of the greatest midfield trios to have ever graced this game. They complemented each other and dictated Los Blancos into winning numerous trophies including a 3-peat of Champions Leagues, an achievement that will probably be repeated by no other club. Each of these three is outstanding individual on own. But when they play together in the same midfield, it was a show worth watching. Perhaps, the other two played crucial part in helping Luka Modrić become the legend that he is today and vice versa. But back to Lukita alone, How can you not love Luka Modrić? Passes, dribbles, Vision, link-up play, workrate, flair and beauty to his play — He isn’t just an excellent player important to Real Madrid, he is someone you could enjoy. As Jose Mourinho quoted, Santiago Bernabéu did fall in love with Luka Modrić. It was him setting up Sergio Ramos for the 92:48 minute goal against Atletico Madrid for the legendary La Decima, that night in Lisbon. That was one of the countless nights where this little magician came clutch for the Royal White. He’s still performing at Real Madrid consistently as if he’s not 36 years old! At this age, most players go to a lower level leagues, clubs or to retirement. Some even try for their coaching licenses. But still young, eh, Luka?
To think Luka Modrić was a legend at the club-level only would be…. MASSIVELY incorrect. Luka Modrić is the greatest footballer of his nation Croatia. Although, Croatia were never a big footballing nation at International level that you’d expect so much from. But when you have Luka Modrić anchoring the side into achieving accolades in the world stage, it’s slightly a different case. He was effortless, passionate and determined every time he put on Croat colours to represent the nation. He was a part of 2008 EURO’s Team of the Tournament after a memorable campaign at the grand stage. Four years later, Luka Modrić had another amazing EURO campaign individually especially a masterclass against eventual champions Spain. However, Luka Modrić’s greatest feat playing for Croatia came in the FIFA World Cup 2018, in Russia. Captain of the side put on incredible shows each time he set his foot on the pitch. Beginning with a win against Nigeria where he scored a penalty, Luka Modrić was named the Man of the Match. He put on another Man of thr Match, this time, against Argentina. In the end of the group stage, Luka Modrić was named best player of the group stage by many. Though his individual success aside, Croatia made it to the final of the World Cup at Luzhniki Stadium. Croatia, however, did not win against France. But it was something beautiful as the underdogs Croatia went all the way to the final. For his remarkable World Cup campaign, Luka Modrić won the Golden Ball. That World Cup sensation Luka Modrić is still playing for Croatia and putting on performances that amaze the Croats.
His club accolades full of numerous trophies including Four Champions League titles aside, Luka Modrić has achieved individual success too. Notably, Luka Modrić made it to UEFA Team of the Year thrice, FIFPRO World XI 5 times and 2008 EURO Team of the Year. 2018 World Cup Golden Ball was a big achievement in the world stage for Luka Modrić.
But he was not just done with that. Bigger accomplishments and recognition awaited him. After playing huge part in Real Madrid’s 2017–18 UCL win and heroics in Croatia’s World Cup campaign, Luka Modrić won UEFA Men’s player of the year award in 2018. What followed up was FIFA The Best Men’s player award in the same year. Though, Luka Modrić’s greatest individual success must be his 2018 Ballon D’Or win, ending a 10-year dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
In this illustrious career full of success both individually and collectively, Luka Modrić has made it known to everyone with his plays that he’s one of the greatest of all-time. He has already achieved glorious things but we all know there’s football of at least one or two year left in him. Still pulling the strings with no signs of slowing down. We are certainly lucky to have been witnessing history with the great Lukita rocking the number 10 shirt, like a young gun. Once in a lifetime footballer with qualities unmatched. Eternally grateful for this.
To all love to Luka Modrić of Croatia.
Written By Fahad Kamal
Edited by Ayan Abdullah
