{"id":243964,"first_name":"Luka","last_name":"Modrić","short_name":"L. Modrić","common_name":"Luka Modrić","place_of_birth":"Zadar","gender":"male","height":173,"weight":65,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-06T09:10:21.953Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T13:49:52.600Z","locale":"en","age":39,"stb_id":"luka-modric","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Luka Modrić","top_position":null,"introduction":"Luka Modrić, born on 9 September 1985, is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in the history of football. He currently plays for and captains Real Madrid in La Liga and the Croatia national team. Over his illustrious career, Modrić has become the most decorated player in Real Madrid's history and is celebrated for his technical skills and strategic playmaking, successfully leading Croatia to a World Cup final and winning numerous prestigious individual awards including the Ballon d'Or in 2018.","early_life_and_career":"\n## Early Years\nLuka Modrić was born in Zadar, Croatia, in 1985. Raised in the village of Modrići, he was the eldest child of Stipe Modrić and Radojka Dopuđ, who both initially worked in a knitwear factory. Modrić spent his early years living in a stone house that belonged to his grandfather, after whom he is named, and spent his childhood shepherding goats. His formative years were marked by the Croatian War of Independence, which forced his family to flee their home. Despite these challenges, Modrić found solace in football, a sport that offered him an escape from the harsh realities of war-torn Croatia. He began playing football in hotel parking lots where his family resided as refugees. His early influences in football included Zvonimir Boban and Francesco Totti.\n\n## Youth Career\nModrić's football journey began at NK Zadar under the guidance of coach Domagoj Bašić. He was considered too young and light by some clubs, including Hajduk Split, but his skills stood out enough to earn him a move to Dinamo Zagreb's youth team by the age of 16. His talent quickly became apparent, leading to loan spells at Zrinjski Mostar in Bosnia and Inter Zaprešić in Croatia. At Zrinjski Mostar, his versatile playing style earned him the Bosnian Premier League Player of the Year award when he was just 18. Modrić further developed his skills during his time with Inter Zaprešić before establishing himself as a key player for Dinamo Zagreb.","professional_career_and_highlights":"\n## Club Career\n### Dinamo Zagreb\nModrić debuted for Dinamo Zagreb in 2005 and played a crucial role in their league victories, resulting in three consecutive league titles from 2005 to 2008. His exceptional performances secured him a move to the English Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur in 2008.\n\n### Tottenham Hotspur\nModrić faced initial skepticism due to his slight build but soon became integral to Tottenham's midfield. His tactical versatility allowed him to adapt and lead Spurs to UEFA Champions League qualification in 2010. During his tenure, he signed a new six-year contract in 2010, further establishing himself as a key player under manager Harry Redknapp.\n\n### Real Madrid\nIn 2012, Modrić joined Real Madrid, where he struggled initially but soon became indispensable. Under the management of Carlo Ancelotti and later Zinedine Zidane, he was instrumental in Real Madrid's dominance in Europe, contributing significantly to their Champions League titles in 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18. Modrić's contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including being named in the UEFA Team of the Year multiple times.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Senior National Team\nModrić debuted for Croatia in 2006 and has since become the nation's most capped player. He led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, where they finished runners-up to France, and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. Modrić also played a pivotal role in Croatia's third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup and was awarded the Bronze Ball.","playing_style_and_skills":"\n## Player Characteristics\nModrić is primarily deployed as a central playmaker, known for his incredible technical abilities, including his precise passing and long-range shooting. He is renowned for his composure under pressure and his capability to execute the trivela technique. Modrić combines tactical intelligence with vision on the pitch, balancing offensive and defensive duties effectively. His versatility allows him to play in multiple midfield roles, enhancing his team's performance with his strategic foresight and work rate.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nThroughout his career, Modrić has consistently displayed impressive statistics, including high pass completion rates and numerous assists that reflect his impact as a playmaker. His contribution to both club and country is marked by top performances in key matches.","notable_achievements":"\n## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- UEFA Champions League: 6 titles with Real Madrid\n- La Liga: 4 titles with Real Madrid\n- Copa del Rey: 2 titles with Real Madrid\n- FIFA Club World Cup: 5 titles with Real Madrid\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- Ballon d'Or: 2018\n- Best FIFA Men's Player: 2018\n- UEFA Men's Player of the Year: 2018\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nModrić's career has been highlighted with various prestigious awards, including multiple inclusions in the FIFA FIFPro World XI, recognition as UEFA's Best Midfielder, and acknowledgment as the best player in multiple international tournaments.","impact_on_sport":"\n## Career Overview\nLuka Modrić's career is defined by his remarkable influence on the game, characterized by his pivotal role at Real Madrid and the Croatian national team. His legacy is further solidified by his achievements, placing him among the greatest midfielders of all time.\n\n## Off the Field\nModrić has maintained a low profile outside football but is known for his charitable pursuits and balanced lifestyle.\n\n## Personal Life\nMarried to Vanja Bosnić with whom he shares three children, Modrić takes pride in his family life. Despite legal challenges, he has remained committed to his career and his public image as one of football's most respected figures.","stb_internal_id":"019300bd-3afe-7428-8d36-4c1631c3ce67","overrides":null,"type_code":"midfielder","position_type_code":"midfielder","detailed_position_type_code":"central-midfied","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":true,"introduction_html":"

Luka Modrić, born on 9 September 1985, is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in the history of football. He currently plays for and captains Real Madrid in La Liga and the Croatia national team. Over his illustrious career, Modrić has become the most decorated player in Real Madrid's history and is celebrated for his technical skills and strategic playmaking, successfully leading Croatia to a World Cup final and winning numerous prestigious individual awards including the Ballon d'Or in 2018.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Luka Modrić was born in Zadar, Croatia, in 1985. Raised in the village of Modrići, he was the eldest child of Stipe Modrić and Radojka Dopuđ, who both initially worked in a knitwear factory. Modrić spent his early years living in a stone house that belonged to his grandfather, after whom he is named, and spent his childhood shepherding goats. His formative years were marked by the Croatian War of Independence, which forced his family to flee their home. Despite these challenges, Modrić found solace in football, a sport that offered him an escape from the harsh realities of war-torn Croatia. He began playing football in hotel parking lots where his family resided as refugees. His early influences in football included Zvonimir Boban and Francesco Totti.

Youth Career

Modrić's football journey began at NK Zadar under the guidance of coach Domagoj Bašić. He was considered too young and light by some clubs, including Hajduk Split, but his skills stood out enough to earn him a move to Dinamo Zagreb's youth team by the age of 16. His talent quickly became apparent, leading to loan spells at Zrinjski Mostar in Bosnia and Inter Zaprešić in Croatia. At Zrinjski Mostar, his versatile playing style earned him the Bosnian Premier League Player of the Year award when he was just 18. Modrić further developed his skills during his time with Inter Zaprešić before establishing himself as a key player for Dinamo Zagreb.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Dinamo Zagreb

Modrić debuted for Dinamo Zagreb in 2005 and played a crucial role in their league victories, resulting in three consecutive league titles from 2005 to 2008. His exceptional performances secured him a move to the English Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur in 2008.

Tottenham Hotspur

Modrić faced initial skepticism due to his slight build but soon became integral to Tottenham's midfield. His tactical versatility allowed him to adapt and lead Spurs to UEFA Champions League qualification in 2010. During his tenure, he signed a new six-year contract in 2010, further establishing himself as a key player under manager Harry Redknapp.

Real Madrid

In 2012, Modrić joined Real Madrid, where he struggled initially but soon became indispensable. Under the management of Carlo Ancelotti and later Zinedine Zidane, he was instrumental in Real Madrid's dominance in Europe, contributing significantly to their Champions League titles in 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18. Modrić's contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including being named in the UEFA Team of the Year multiple times.

National Team Career

Senior National Team

Modrić debuted for Croatia in 2006 and has since become the nation's most capped player. He led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, where they finished runners-up to France, and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. Modrić also played a pivotal role in Croatia's third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup and was awarded the Bronze Ball.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Modrić is primarily deployed as a central playmaker, known for his incredible technical abilities, including his precise passing and long-range shooting. He is renowned for his composure under pressure and his capability to execute the trivela technique. Modrić combines tactical intelligence with vision on the pitch, balancing offensive and defensive duties effectively. His versatility allows him to play in multiple midfield roles, enhancing his team's performance with his strategic foresight and work rate.

Performance Statistics

Throughout his career, Modrić has consistently displayed impressive statistics, including high pass completion rates and numerous assists that reflect his impact as a playmaker. His contribution to both club and country is marked by top performances in key matches.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

UEFA Champions League: 6 titles with Real Madrid
La Liga: 4 titles with Real Madrid
Copa del Rey: 2 titles with Real Madrid
FIFA Club World Cup: 5 titles with Real Madrid

Individual Achievements

Ballon d'Or: 2018
Best FIFA Men's Player: 2018
UEFA Men's Player of the Year: 2018

Awards and Recognition

Modrić's career has been highlighted with various prestigious awards, including multiple inclusions in the FIFA FIFPro World XI, recognition as UEFA's Best Midfielder, and acknowledgment as the best player in multiple international tournaments.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Luka Modrić's career is defined by his remarkable influence on the game, characterized by his pivotal role at Real Madrid and the Croatian national team. His legacy is further solidified by his achievements, placing him among the greatest midfielders of all time.

Off the Field

Modrić has maintained a low profile outside football but is known for his charitable pursuits and balanced lifestyle.

Personal Life

Married to Vanja Bosnić with whom he shares three children, Modrić takes pride in his family life. Despite legal challenges, he has remained committed to his career and his public image as one of football's most respected figures.

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Luka Modrić: Profile