10 Luka Modrić
Luka Modrić, 1985-09-09, Midfielder for Croatia, plays for Real Madrid. 178 international caps, 25 goals. Part of Croatia's 2026 World Cup Group L squad.
Biography
2018 Ballon d'Or winner and Croatia's greatest ever player. Currently plying his trade at Real Madrid, an industrious midfielder, Luka Modrić excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Croatia. Has earned 178 international caps, scoring 25 goals, making him one of the most senior figures in the squad. Born in 1985, the 40-year-old veteran continues to compete at the highest level, bringing invaluable experience and professionalism. Set to compete with Croatia at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 6 previous tournament appearances.
Career Timeline
He has also been named Croatian Footballer of the Year a record fourteen times between 2007 and 2025.
He left Real Madrid in July 2025, joining Serie A club AC Milan on a free transfer.
Modrić has anchored Croatia's "second Golden Generation", participating in every major tournament Croatia has qualified for, including every UEFA Euro from 2008 to 2024 as well as every FIFA World Cup from 2006 to 2022.
At the 2022 World Cup, he led the team to a third-place finish, winning the Bronze Ball as the tournament’s third best player.
Modrić led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
Modrić has won numerous individual awards, including the Ballon d'Or in 2018, making him the first player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award since 2007, the Best FIFA Men's Player, and the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award, and the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker award in 2018.
After Zinedine Zidane took over Madrid in 2016, Modrić was a key member of Madrid's three consecutive Champions League titles from 2015–16 to 2017–18, and was named into the squad of the season each time.
In his second season, he won the 2013–14 Champions League title and was named in the squad of the season.
He led Spurs to UEFA Champions League qualification in 2010, the club's first qualification in almost 50 years.
He made his debut for Dinamo in 2005 and his great performances earned him a move to Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in 2008.
Modrić made his international debut for Croatia against Argentina in March 2006, and scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Italy.