Stars in World Cup 2014

Luka Modric: Cruyff of the Balkans

Betis' defender Didac Vila (L) vies with Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric during the Spanish league football match Real Betis vs Real Madrid on January 18, 2014 at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Sevilla. Photo: AFP
Betis' defender Didac Vila (L) vies with Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric during the Spanish league football match Real Betis vs Real Madrid on January 18, 2014 at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Sevilla. Photo: AFP

Luka Modrić was born on 9 September 1985. Modric is a Croatian footballer who plays for Real Madrid and the Croatia national football team. Modrić plays mainly as a central midfielder, but can also play as an attacking midfielder and winger.

After showing promise in hometown club Zadar's youth team, he was signed by Dinamo Zagreb as a teenager in 2002. His professional career began with loan spells at Zrinjski Mostar and Inter Zaprešić.

Luka Modric's Profile

Luka Modric

Surname: Modric

Firstname: Luka

Country: Croatia

Date of birth: 1985-09-09

Birthplace: Zadar

Height: 173 cm

Weight: 65.0 kg

Playing Career

Position: Midfielder

Iceland's midfielder Aron Einar Gunnarsson (L) vies with Croatia's defender Luka Modric (R) during the World Cup 2014 qualifying football match Croatia vs Iceland at Maksimir stadium in Zagreb on November 19, 2013. Photo: AFP
Iceland's midfielder Aron Einar Gunnarsson (L) vies with Croatia's defender Luka Modric (R) during the World Cup 2014 qualifying football match Croatia vs Iceland at Maksimir stadium in Zagreb on November 19, 2013. Photo: AFP


Clubs: Dinamo Zagreb (2002-2003), Zrinjski Mostar (Bos/loan/2003-2004), Inter Zaprezic (loan/2004-2005), Dinamo Zagreb (2005-2008), Tottenham (Eng/2008-2012), Real Madrid (Spa/since 2012)

International appearances: 75

International goals: 8

International debut: 01/03/2006, Croatia-Argentina (3-2)

Last international appearance: 07/06/2014, Croatia-Australia (1-0)

Playing Honours

International

World Cup: first round (2006), 2 matches, 0 goals

European Championships: quarter-finals (2008), first round (2012), 6 matches, 1 goal

Club

1 Champions League (2014)

3 Croatian Championships (2006, 2007, 2008)

2 Croatian Cups (2007, 2008)

1 Croatian Supercup (2006)

1 Spanish Cup (2014)

1 Spanish Supercup (2012)

Balkan Cruyff

With his pale skin, emaciated face, long hair and swaying runs with the ball Luka Modric bears such a resemblance to the great Johan that he was never going to escape his nickname "Cruyff of the Balkans." Since his transfer to Real Madrid from Tottenham Hostspur in August 2012 the Croatian playmaker has gained in dimension and stature whilst also maintaining his visionary passing and a knack for prising open defences given to few. His passes were crucial in hoisting Real Madrid to the Champions League title in 2014. And although he should score more (a little more than a goal every 10 games), he is indisputably Croatia's top player.