Luka Modric — Football Maestro!

Luka Modrić is more than just a football player — he is a true football maestro whose skills leave us speechless and captivated.

His journey is unlike most in the world of football. Behind the glitter and fame, there are challenges and obstacles that he fearlessly overcame, building the character of steel that defines him today.

“I believe that nothing is impossible.” These words embody the spirit of Luka Modrić throughout his incredible career. War, relocations, living in a refugee center… All these experiences have contributed to shaping his indomitable spirit, qualities that cannot be gained through any training, coaching, or club.

Until the age of 15, he played for NK Zadar, without the luxuries enjoyed by his present-day rivals who had all the modern amenities from the age of seven — cutting-edge facilities, technology, nutritionists, psychologists, and more. Yet, amidst all that, the great Luka Modrić emerged from a club that no longer exists. It’s so incredible that it almost feels unreal!

Let’s not forget that Messi made his debut for Barcelona at 16, while Luka Modrić’s senior debut came at the age of 18 when he was immediately sent on loan to Inter Zaprešić, a club that no longer exists.

However, as is often the case, achieving greatness requires someone “crazy” enough to believe in something that no one else can see or believe in. That person was Zdravko Mamić, who took the risk and invested in Luka’s career.

The same Mamić has had no communication with Modrić for years and gave up his right to earn 20% of Luka Modrić’s entire salary and royalties a decade ago. At Luka Modrić’s wedding, Zdravko Mamić even walked the bride down the aisle, but now Modrić and his wife have no contact with him, while Mamić resides in Herzegovina as a defector from Croatia, facing criminal charges related to Luka Modrić.

A crazy situation, beyond imagination!

Now back to the football story…

At 18, if you told a football player from any Balkan country to play a season in Zrinjski Mostar, which was then in the second league of Bosnia and Herzegovina, they would probably terminate their contract with their agent the moment they got such an offer. But Luka, with no other options, embraced the challenge and played 22 games, scoring 8 goals.

Imagine the experience of playing in a league emphasizing strength and athleticism, rather than the technical tiki-taka style of Barcelona and Real academies. Nevertheless, the challenge was embraced, and the following year, he went on another loan to Inter Zaprešić in Croatia. There, he played 18 games and scored 4 goals, and Inter Zaprešić finished second in the table, just behind Hajduk, who won the league, and ahead of NK Zagreb, currently in the fourth Croatian league, which finished second.

The next season, 2005/2006, Luka Modrić returned to Dinamo Zagreb and won three championship titles in the following three seasons, playing 136 games and scoring 51 goals for Dinamo’s first team, and participating in 37 matches for the young Croatian national teams.

It’s almost unreal that someone who has left an indelible mark on world football by the age of 23 played for Dinamo Zagreb and was on loan in the second league of Bosnia and Herzegovina. But the project was a success!

I don’t know if Mamić had a specific plan or if it was a combination of fate and fortunate circumstances that shaped Modrić’s career, but one thing is certain: while Messi was already playing for Barcelona’s first team, Luka could not have imagined that he would be the one to compete with Messi and Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or. But he became exactly that — Luka Modrić!

Miracles are written only by those who believe passionately!

It’s hard to imagine any talented player staying in the Balkans until the age of 23, remaining mentally strong, and resisting lucrative offers from big European clubs. However, in this case, that late departure turned out to be a successful move.

It seems that this relatively late departure from Dynamo Zagreb and the “tempering” process — with over 150 matches for the national team and clubs — built an immensely strong character and self-confidence in Modrić. This enabled him to play 127 matches at the highest level for Tottenham, scoring 13 goals, and that too in the “most demanding” league known for its running, physicality, and fast play.

Luka Modrić passed this test with flying colors!

Real Madrid cannot go wrong with Luka Modrić, even if he is not a pure “number ten.” They are acquiring a 27-year-old player with over 300 games, including appearances for the national team, and with numerous personal challenges, emotional stability, and strong family support. Luca arrives at Real Madrid and starts his dance…

Perhaps no one at Real Madrid could have imagined that they had just acquired the future Ballon d’Or winner, and even the most optimistic did not predict it. Luka finally received the number 10 shirt after 3–4 years of playing for Real Madrid, but he earned it so much that nobody questioned his right to wear it after Ozil’s departure. The number 10 shirt is sacred, worn by the best on the field.

To me, it seems that no other player deserved that number 10 shirt as much as Luka Modrić in the last 20 years.

Over 250 games for Real Madrid, in the illustrious club, and over 150 games wearing the number 10 shirt, along with 5 Champions League titles — three of them in a row — the numbers speak for themselves.

Four Champions Leagues in five years — was it just luck or coincidence? No, it’s a combination of raw talent, hard work, and determination that sums up Luka’s journey — from war-torn Zadar to Mamić and beyond. Though we might not know all the trials he faced, the numbers help us appreciate his remarkable achievements.

While many platforms evaluate players and define their characteristics and skills, Luka possesses something that defies evaluation on these platforms — consistency. It is the ultimate compliment for this football maestro who continues to mesmerize us even at 38.

In the last four years, Luka has played some of the best football of his career…

When you are hailed as a player with both legs and a powerful shot, you know you are a grandmaster who has worked diligently to perfect the weaker foot, turning it into a strength. That hard work and indomitable character are the hallmarks of Luka Modrić!

Adding to everything mentioned, there’s his second-place finish with the Croatian national team in Russia and that unforgettable goal against Argentina — a treat for all football enthusiasts. So, when the Ballon d’Or came his way, it was a soothing balm, even though he didn’t win the World Cup.

Luka’s success was repeated in Qatar with Croatia securing third place in the last World Cup.

Only Uruguay and Croatia, with their relatively small populations, have played in World Cup finals — an extraordinary achievement for both nations.

Whether you support Barcelona or Real Madrid, if you love football, understand football, and watch football, you cannot help but tip your hat to Luka Modrić and say just one thing to him, “Thank you, Maestro, and keep enchanting us with the beauty of this magical game.”