Luka Modric
Luka Modrić (pronounced [ˈluːka ˈmɔːdritɕ], born 9 September 1985 in Zadar) is a Croatian footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur and for the Croatian national football team as a midfielder. He plays as an attacking, central or left wing midfielder, where he demonstrates his acceleration, range of passing, vision and amazing technique.
Modrić’s childhood coincided with the Croatian War of Independence. 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. While he was at Dinamo Zagreb, they won three consecutive league titles and several domestic cups, with Modrić named Prva HNL “Player of the Year” in 2007.
| Full name | Luka Modrić | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 9 September 1985 (1985-09-09) (age 25) | ||
| Place of birth | Zadar, SFR Yugoslavia | ||
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 8 1⁄2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Tottenham | ||
| Number | 14 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2002–2003 | Dinamo Zagreb | ||
| Senior career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2003–2008 | Dinamo Zagreb | 112 | (31) |
| 2003–2004 | → Zrinjski Mostar (loan) | 22 | (8) |
| 2004–2005 | → Inter Zaprešić (loan) | 18 | (4) |
| 2008– | Tottenham Hotspur | 79 | (7) |
| National team | |||
| 2001 | Croatia U15 | 2 | (0) |
| 2001 | Croatia U17 | 2 | (0) |
| 2003 | Croatia U18 | 7 | (0) |
| 2003–2004 | Croatia U19 | 11 | (1) |
| 2004–2005 | Croatia U21 | 15 | (2) |
| 2006– | Croatia | 44 | (7) |
* until Februari 20, 2011
International career
Modrić’s first international experience came at youth level, playing for the Croatian U-17, U-19 and under-21 teams.
He made his full international debut on 1 March 2006 in a friendly match against Argentina in Basel, Switzerland, which Croatia won 3–2. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, he made two appearances as a substitute in the group fixtures against Japan and Australia.
With the appointment of new manager Slaven Bilić, Modrić earned greater recognition at international level, scoring his first goal in Croatia’s 2–0 friendly win over Italy on 16 August 2006 in Livorno. His performances ensured a regular place in the international side, and he gave an impressive showing in Croatia’s successful Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, which recorded home and away victories against England.
Much was expected of the young midfielder often dubbed “the Croatian Cruyff”. Modrić scored Croatia’s first goal of Euro 2008, converting a penalty in the fourth minute of their 1–0 victory against Austria on 8 June 2008. It was the fastest penalty ever awarded and scored in European Championship history. He continued to impress at the tournament and was named UEFA Man of the Match in their next game when Croatia defeated one of the pre-tournament favorites and eventual finalists Germany.
In the quarter-final against Turkey, Modrić took advantage of a mistake by veteran Turkish goalkeeper Rüştü Reçber, and crossed to teammate Ivan Klasnić for the first goal of the game with only a minute remaining of extra time. However, Semih Şentürk equalised for Turkey almost immediately. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Modrić failed to score the first penalty with his off-target kick. Turkey went on to win the shootout 3–1. At the end of the competition, Modrić was included in the UEFA Team of the Tournament, becoming only the second Croatian to ever achieve this honour, the first being Davor Šuker.
Style of play
“Not only is he a very hard worker, he has a good brain and he provided some calmness and composure to the midfield. His passing was neat and his contribution was outstanding. He was not only winning the ball, he was passing well. We thought that he was very influential. He did not just work hard, he made the other people play well around him.” Gérard Houllier, UEFA Technical Team
Modrić can play with both feet, and combines this with his swift offensive positioning off the ball. His complex game brought him consistent success in the Croatian first division, as recognised when he was signed by Tottenham Hotspur in July 2008. His best role is as a central playmaker and during his time at Dinamo Zagreb, he proved his ability to play as an attacking midfielder, especially on his preferred left wing. In the Croatian national squad, Modrić linked up well with Niko Kovač, also demonstrating his defensive ability. Croatian team manager Bilić has utilised Modrić’s flexibility to good effect when experimenting with the team formation. Most notably, Modrić formed a “telepathic understanding” with Eduardo when they played together at Dinamo, Inter Zaprešić and the national team. In 2010, Chelsea legend and former assistant manager Ray Wilkins, described Modrić as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Honours
Individual
- Bosnian First League Player of the Year: 2003
- Croatian Football Hope of the Year: 2004
- Croatian First League Player of the Year: 2007
- UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament: 2008
- Europe’s Best Playmaker of the Year 08-09
Club
Dinamo Zagreb
- Croatian First League: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08
- Croatian Cup: 2007, 2008
- Croatian Super Cup: 2006
Tottenham Hotspur
- League Cup Runners up medal 2008–09.
- Barclays Asia Trophy: 2009