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Luka Modrić
Leading Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and winning six Champions Leagues with Real Madrid.
World Cup Golden Ball · Ballon d’Or
- Born
- 9 September 1985
- Birthplace
- Zadar, Croatia
More people
Luka Modrić
A Croatian midfielder known for controlling tempo, escaping pressure and passing with the outside of his foot. His career developed from Croatian football into a long period at Real Madrid.
Early life
Wartime childhood
His family was displaced during the Croatian war and lived in hotels around Zadar.
Youth football
Developed locally before joining Dinamo Zagreb’s system.
Career
- 2000s
Dinamo development
Loan spells preceded domestic success with Dinamo Zagreb.
- 2008–2012
Tottenham
Established himself in the English Premier League.
- 2012–2025
Real Madrid
Became a central player in repeated European victories.
- 2018–2022
Croatia’s World Cups
Helped the country finish second and then third.
Achievements
World Cup Golden Ball
Was named the tournament’s best player.
Ballon d’Or
Won after club success and Croatia’s World Cup run.
Six Champions Leagues
Played in Madrid’s six winning campaigns across that period.
Beyond football
Memoir
His autobiography describes displacement, development and professional football.
Family
Married Vanja Bosnić and has three children.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Ballon d’Or award record ↗Photo: Bryan Berlin. CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
