Luka Modric grew up in a really challenging environment. He was only five years old when the Croatian War of Independence started. He lived in a war zone and lost his grandfather (who was killed) in the battle.

 

When Luka’s family was compelled to relocate to Zadar, he spent his free time kicking paper balls in those camps. Even though there was continual risk (murders, bombs, and grenades were frequent at the time), he was nonetheless passionate about the game. As soon as the War was ended, he started playing football again in the appropriate manner.

Hajduk FC, his favorite team, rejected him on the grounds that he was unfit and too light and skinny. But he was always encouraged by his father to “keep believing, son, you can make it.” Although his father lacked the resources to pay for him to attend Buy Boots or football academies, he never stopped motivating him.

No matter what the situation, Luka remained unaffected and worked incredibly hard to always develop his abilities and playing style. During his stint with local clubs, he attracted the attention of numerous overseas clubs; Tottenham immediately signed him despite claims that he wasn’t physically prepared for the English game. For Tottenham, he excelled and proved all of his detractors wrong. Then Real Madrid, one of the biggest clubs on the planet, got in touch. His transfer to Madrid was dubbed the worst signing of the year by local media. Modric, though, was undeterred by this and carried on making magic on the field as normal.

We can then comprehend what happened. All of that is now history.

Luka Modric was named the worst signing of the year in 2012 by MARCA. Luka Modric won the Marca Leyenda prize ten years later. a trophy presented by Marca to acknowledge and celebrate the athletic achievements of the world’s best athletes.

Happy Birthday to one of the greatest midfielders in history, Legend.