Famous football players often live glamorous lives, with every aspect of their daily routines being observed by the public. However, some parts of their careers are still hidden away behind their high salaries and flashy footwear. Whether it’s their humble backgrounds or their personal interests like music and art, football players still have human traits and personalities that we sometimes overlook.
Luka Modric, captain of Real Madrid - Source: football espana
Luka Modric has lived a fascinating life, which has brought him to fulfill his dream of playing in the central midfield for Real Madrid at the age of 38. He is highly respected in his home country of Croatia and his journey from humble beginnings to success is a remarkable story. To pay tribute to Modric’s jersey number for Real Madrid, here are five unknown facts about the Croatian international.
5- He came into this world in the village called ‘Modrici’
The village where one of Croatia’s most talented individuals, Modric, grew up and first tried on a pair of shoes is called ‘Modric’. Modric’s childhood home is situated on a narrow, curvy road that leads to the Velebit mountain range.
The secluded and isolated region has a dark past with a notorious reputation for heinous acts of war, believed to still harbor landmines to this day.
๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐: Modriฤ's outside of the boot assist… @lukamodric10 || #UCL pic.twitter.com/Vmw0Qj7Lt7
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 28, 2022
4- Luka Modric became involved in the ‘Croatian War of Independence’
It is evident that Modric was too young to actively participate in the conflict, yet he still holds traumatic memories of the war. When Modric was only six years old in 1991, the region where he was born was seized by rebel groups of Croatian Serb origin. Tragically, his grandfather was ruthlessly killed by these rebels while tending to livestock.
The Modric family had to escape from their area and become refugees in a hotel in Zadar due to a dreadful event that a child endured. This challenging situation played a significant role in shaping the former Tottenham player’s confidence and strong mental mindset, ultimately helping him thrive in his football career.
3- The main focus is on two things – Football and Family
Despite playing for one of the largest teams in global soccer, Modric has not lost sight of his modest beginnings. He emphasizes that his primary focus is always giving his best performance on the field, without trying to be a role model or anything else. This quote reveals Modric’s grounded nature as a professional football player.
Luka’s family is the only thing that is more important to him than football>
In 2010, he got married to Vanja Bosnic in Zagreb after dating for four years. He has two kids named Ivano and Ema. He maintains a close relationship with his family, regularly talking to his parents and two sisters back home. When it comes to playing football, he always strives to give his best.
2- Great Pals with Corluka
Vedran Corluka being Modric’s best man at his wedding to Bosnic seven years ago is proof of their strong friendship. They were teammates at White Hart Lane from 2008 to 2012 and also played together for the Croatian national team.
The both of them have been together in the game for several years, and Corluka has nothing but good things to say about his Croatian colleague, stating that he is among the top midfielders in Europe.
1- Barcelona missed the opportunity to sign him
Before Tottenham finally acquired his talents, many clubs across Europe, including their rivals Arsenal and Manchester United, had shown interest in signing Luka Modric.
Barcelona also expressed their interest and Bojan Krkic Senior, a former scout of the Catalan club, stated, “We brought him to Barcelona to familiarize ourselves with him. We sat down for coffee and he left a positive impression. He spoke fluent English and appeared highly intelligent.”
Unfortunately, things did not work out as planned. The player possessed a strong mindset for achieving victories, but the club did not have a long-term vision, solely focusing on the present and near future. Barcelona’s downfall can be attributed to their surprising failure to invest in young players. Surely, they must deeply regret making such a choice now.
