The world of football has undergone numerous changes in recent years. Luka Modrić stands out as one of its greatest names, playing as a central midfielder for Serie A club AC Milan and serving as the captain of Croatia’s national team.
Luka Modric is one of the greatest midfielders in history and a legend in Croatian football. He became the first player to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or, beating both Ronaldo and Messi. That was big news for football because it ended the 10-year dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Luka Modric plays as an attacking midfielder but is also recognized as a deep-lying playmaker. The Croatian captain is considered one of the most complete midfielders in the world. At 40 years old, he joined Real Madrid in 2012 with a £30 million transfer fee.
The Croatian player has won various awards for the Club and the Nation. He has won the Ballon d’Or in 2018, Best FIFA Men’s Player, the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award, Golden Foot, FIFPRO World 11 (6 times), UEFA Team of the Year, and UEFA Team of the Year player.
Luka Modric Career Statistics
Star central midfielder Luka Modric, born in Zadar, Croatia, began his football career with Dinamo Zagreb. In the early 1990s, his family had to leave; they settled in the tourist town of Zaton. Luka married his agent Vanja Bosnic at 25.
The beginning soccer player signed his first contract in 2002 with Dinamo Zagreb. That deal was loaned in 2003, where he contributed 7 goals in 31 matches to help win the league.
The beginning soccer player signed his first contract with Dinamo Zagreb in 2003, where early loan spells with Zrinjski Mostar in Bosnia and Inter Zaprešić in Croatia gave him valuable experience.
By 2005, he had broken into Dinamo’s first team, quickly establishing himself as one of the brightest talents in the region. His performances caught the eye of Europe, and in 2008 he signed for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
At Spurs, Modrić became the creative heartbeat of the side, guiding them to a historic Champions League qualification in 2010 — their first in nearly half a century.
Two years later, Real Madrid secured his signature in a £30 million deal. Within just his second season in Spain, Modrić lifted the 2013–14 Champions League trophy and earned a place in the competition’s Team of the Season, cementing his reputation as one of the world’s finest midfielders.
Modrić first represented Croatia at the senior level in March 2006, making his debut in a friendly against Argentina. Later that year, he opened his international scoring account with a goal against Italy, marking the beginning of what would become a long and influential career with the national team.
Croatia made history in 2018 by reaching the FIFA World Cup final for the first time in two decades. Although France won the match 4-2, it marked a turning point in the story of this underdog team. Modrić Led Croatia to the World Cup, winning the Golden Ball as the Best Player of the tournament.
Luka Modric Personal Information
- Current Team: AC Milan
- Position: Midfielder or Central midfielder, or Attacking Midfielder or Defensive Midfielder
- Number: 14
- Height: 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
- Age: 40
- DOB: 9 September 1985
- Best Award: Ballon d’Or in 2018, Best FIFA Men’s Player, the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award, Golden Foot, and UEFA Team of the Year.
Luka Modric Records, Information & Club performance
Goals Scored Club Side (for all the competition)
| Club | Apps | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Dinamo Zagreb (2003–08) | 130 | 32 |
| Zrinjski Mostar (2004–2005) | 25 | 8 |
| Inter Zaprešić (2004–2008) | 18 | 4 |
| Tottenham Hotspur (2008–2012) | 160 | 17 |
| Real Madrid (2012–present) | 597 | 43 |
| AC Milan | 37 | 2 |
| Total | 967 | 106 |
Goals Scored National Team Croatia
| Club | Apps | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Croatia (2006–23) | 198 | 29 |
Goals Scored by Real Madrid Club
| Years | Years |
|---|---|
| 2012–13 | 4 (53 apps) |
| 2013–14 | 2 (51 apps) |
| 2014–15 | 1 (25 apps) |
| 2015–16 | 3 (44 apps) |
| 2016–17 | 1 (41 apps) |
| 2017–18 | 2 (43 apps) |
| 2018–19 | 4 (46apps) |
| 2019–20 | 5 (40 apps) |
| 2020–21 | 6 (48apps) |
| 2021–22 | 3 (45apps) |
| 2022–23 | 6 (52 apps) |
| 2023–24 | 2 (46 apps) |
| 2024–25 | 4 (63 apps) |
Career Achievements
| FIFA Ballon d’Or | 2018 (Real Madrid) |
|---|---|
| UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award | 2017-18 (Real Madrid) |
| The Best FIFA Men’s Player | 2018 |
| FIFA World Cup Golden Ball | 2018 |
| FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball | 2017 |
| IFFHS Men’s World Team | 2017-2018 |
| UEFA Team of the Year | 2016, 2017. 2018 |
Croatia
- FIFA World Cup runner-up: 2018, Third place: 2022
- UEFA Nations League runner-up: 2022–23
- Croatian Footballer of the Year: 2007, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
- Football Oscar for Best Croatian Player: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
- FIFA FIFPRO World 11: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
- FIFA World Series ACUD Cup: 2024 Best Player
- Charter of the Republic of Croatia: 2024
Luka Modric FIFA World Cup Records
Luka Modrić has played in five FIFA World Cups (2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026), appearing in 19 matches, scoring 2 goals, and winning the Golden Ball in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the Bronze Ball in 2022. His standout achievement was captaining Croatia to the 2018 final.
At 40 years old, Luka Modrić is leading the Croatian squad in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a tournament widely seen as the final chapter of his legendary international and professional career. He has already qualified his team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Key Highlights
- Debut World Cup: 2006, featured as a substitute against Japan and Australia.
- Breakthrough: 2018, led Croatia to their first-ever World Cup final, scoring against Nigeria and Argentina.
- Consistency: Played every match in 2018 and 2022, captaining Croatia through knockout stages.
- Awards: Golden Ball (best player of the tournament) in 2018; Bronze Ball in 2022.
- Longevity: One of the few midfielders to feature in five different World Cups, spanning 20 years.
Luka Modrić — FIFA World Cup Records
| World Cup | Matches Played | Starts | Captain | Goals | Cards (Y/R) | Croatia’s Final Standing | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 (Germany) | 2 | 0 | No | 0 | 0/0 | Group Stage Exit | – |
| 2014 (Brazil) | 3 | 3 | No | 0 | 0/0 | Group Stage Exit | – |
| 2018 (Russia) | 7 | 7 | Yes | 2 | 0/0 | Runners-up (lost final vs France) | Golden Ball, All-Star Team |
| 2022 (Qatar) | 7 | 7 | Yes | 0 | 1/0 | Third Place (beat Morocco in playoff) | Bronze Ball |
| 2026 (USA/Canada/Mexico) | 0 (squad member, no minutes yet) | – | – | – | – | Ongoing | – |
| Totals | 19 | 17 | 14 as captain | 2 goals | 1 yellow / 0 red | – | Golden Ball (2018), Bronze Ball (2022) |
