Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Luka Modrić
How Luka Modrić built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Luka Modrić is a highly decorated Croatian professional footballer recognized as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He captains both Real Madrid and the Croatia national team. Primarily a central midfielder, he is also adept as an attacking midfielder. His career has been marked by exceptional skill, vision, and leadership, making him a pivotal figure for both club and country.
March 2001: Began international career at youth level
In March 2001, Modrić began his international career at the youth level, playing for the Croatian under-15 team.
2001: Move to Dinamo Zagreb
In late 2001, Tomislav Bašić arranged Luka Modrić's move to Dinamo Zagreb when Modrić was a 16-year-old.
2003: Professional Career Begins
In 2003, Luka Modrić began his professional career with Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb. Later that year, he went on loan to Zrinjski Mostar.
2003: Loan to Zrinjski Mostar
In 2003, Luka Modrić was loaned to Zrinjski Mostar in the Bosnian Premier League.
2005: Debut for Dinamo Zagreb
In 2005, Luka Modrić debuted for Dinamo Zagreb after returning from loan at Inter Zaprešić.
2005: Signs Ten-Year Contract with Dinamo Zagreb
In the 2005–06 season, Luka Modrić signed a ten-year contract with Dinamo Zagreb and bought a flat in Zadar for his family.
March 2006: International Debut for Croatia
In March 2006, Luka Modrić made his international debut for Croatia against Argentina.
August 2006: First international goal
On August 16, 2006, Modrić scored his first goal in Croatia's 2–0 friendly win over world champions Italy in Livorno.
2007: Darren Bent's Move
On 26 April 2008, Luka Modrić agreed to transfer terms with Tottenham Hotspur, signing a six-year contract with a £16.5 million transfer fee, equalling the club's record fee set by Darren Bent's move in 2007.
April 2008: Agrees to Terms with Tottenham Hotspur
On 26 April 2008, Luka Modrić agreed to transfer terms with Tottenham Hotspur, signing a six-year contract with a £16.5 million transfer fee.
2008: Move to Tottenham Hotspur
In 2008, Luka Modrić moved to Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.
January 2009: FA Cup Goal Against Wigan Athletic
On 2 January 2009, Luka Modrić scored in a home win in the third round of the FA Cup against Wigan Athletic.
April 2009: Goal Against Manchester United
On 25 April 2009, Luka Modrić scored in an away defeat against Manchester United.
February 2010: Goal Against Everton
On 28 February 2010, Luka Modrić scored in a home win against Everton.
May 2010: Signs New Six-Year Contract
On 30 May 2010, Luka Modrić signed a new six-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur that ran until 2016.
September 2010: First Goal of the Season
On 11 September 2010, Luka Modrić scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season in a 1–1 away draw at West Bromwich Albion.
2010: Scored three goals in World Cup qualifiers
During the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Modrić scored three goals, against Kazakhstan, Andorra, and Ukraine; matching Ivica Olić, Ivan Rakitić and Eduardo.
2010: Champions League Qualification
In 2010, Luka Modrić led Spurs to UEFA Champions League qualification, the club’s first qualification in almost 50 years.
2010: Flourishing in a Central Midfield Role
In the 2010-11 season, Luka Modrić flourished in a central midfield role as a deep-lying playmaker while playing for Tottenham, conducting attacks and creating chances for his teammates.
January 2011: Redknapp Praises Modrić
After a draw against Manchester United at White Hart Lane in January 2011, Harry Redknapp praised Luka Modrić, calling him an amazing footballer.
2011: Top-Rated Midfielder in Premier League
By the 2011-12 season, Luka Modrić was statistically among the top-rated central and all-round midfielders across the top five leagues, showcasing high pass accuracy, successful dribbles, interceptions, and tackles.
2011: Chelsea's Pursuit and Failed Bids
In 2011, Chelsea pursued Modrić with bids of £22 million and £27 million, both rejected by Tottenham. Modrić expressed his desire to move to Chelsea, but a final £40 million bid was also rejected on the transfer window's final day. This led to Modrić refusing to play in a match against Manchester United.
January 2012: Goal Against Wolverhampton Wanderers
On 14 January 2012, Modrić scored the only goal in a home draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
August 2012: Transfer to Real Madrid
On 27 August 2012, Real Madrid announced an agreement with Tottenham for Modrić's transfer for approximately £30 million. Modrić signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid.
2012: Joins Real Madrid
In the summer of 2012, Luka Modrić joined Real Madrid for a £30 million transfer fee.
March 2013: Key Performances for Real Madrid
In March 2013, Modrić delivered crucial performances for Real Madrid. On March 2nd, he assisted Sergio Ramos in a victory against Barcelona. On March 5th, he scored a vital goal against Manchester United in the Champions League, helping Real Madrid advance to the quarter-finals. On March 16th, he scored a long-range volley against Mallorca.
2013: Tackles and Completed Passes in La Liga
During the first half of the 2013-14 season, Luka Modrić made more tackles (56) than any other Real Madrid player in La Liga, averaging 2.86 tackles per match. He also completed the most passes (878) in the opposition's half.
2013: Becoming a Starter and Copa del Rey Win
In 2013, under Carlo Ancelotti, Modrić became a regular starter for Real Madrid, known for his passing accuracy. He scored his first goal of the 2013-14 season against Copenhagen. Real Madrid, with Modrić on the pitch, won the 2013–14 Copa del Rey.
2013: Champions League Title
In his second season with Real Madrid, 2013, Luka Modrić won the Champions League title and was named in the squad of the season.
August 2014: New Contract and UEFA Super Cup Win
In August 2014, Modrić signed a new contract with Real Madrid, extending his stay until 2018. Real Madrid won the UEFA Super Cup to begin the 2014-15 season.
2014: Played in the 2014 World Cup
In 2014, Modrić played in the World Cup with the Croatian team.
2014: Passing Accuracy and Dribbling in La Liga
In the 2014-15 season, Luka Modrić produced the highest count of passes and key passes per match within the Real Madrid team. For all of 2014, Modrić's dribble attempts (75) at a success rate of 76% were second in Europe's top five leagues.
March 2015: Return from Thigh Injury
In early March 2015, Modrić returned from a three-month thigh injury sustained in late November 2014. He started in seven matches and regained his form.
March 2015: Captained Croatia for the first time
On March 3, 2015, Modrić captained Croatia for the first time, in an away draw against Azerbaijan.
2015: Champions League Title
From 2015 to 2018, Luka Modrić was a key member of Real Madrid's team that won three consecutive Champions League titles, and he was named into the squad of the season each time.
2015: Champions League Win with Real Madrid
In 2015, Modrić won the Champions League with Real Madrid. He was included in Champions League, and La Liga's team of the season.
2015: Continued Role Under Rafael Benítez
In 2015, under new manager Rafael Benítez, Modrić continued to be a key midfield player for Real Madrid. In October, he sustained a muscular groin injury during an international match against Bulgaria, but recovered quickly.
2015: Defensive Responsibility at Real Madrid
In the 2015-16 season, Luka Modrić took on more defensive responsibilities in midfield for Real Madrid, setting the rhythm of the team's gameplay and orchestrating counterattacks.
January 2016: Arrival of Zinedine Zidane and Improved Performance
In January 2016, with the arrival of Zinedine Zidane as manager, Modrić's role as a crucial "connector" between defense and attack was emphasized. His performance and influence in the first three matches under Zidane were highly praised.
October 2016: New Contract with Real Madrid
On 18 October 2016, Modrić signed a new contract with Real Madrid, extending his stay until 2020. He missed eight matches due to a knee injury.
2016: End of Six Year Contract
In 2010 Luka Modrić signed a six year contract until 2016 with Tottenham Hotspur.
2016: Scored match-winning goal against Turkey in Euro 2016
In 2016, Modrić scored the match-winning goal in Croatia's opening group stage match against Turkey, a volley from 25 metres (28 yards).
2016: La Liga and Champions League Title
In 2016, Modrić won the 2016–17 La Liga and the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid.
2016: Zidane Takes Over
In 2016, after Zinedine Zidane took over Real Madrid, Luka Modrić became a key member of the team that won three consecutive Champions League titles.
March 2017: 200th Match for Real Madrid
On 12 March 2017, Modrić played his 200th match for Real Madrid in a 2–1 win over Real Betis.
2017: Champions League Title
From 2015 to 2018, Luka Modrić was a key member of Real Madrid's team that won three consecutive Champions League titles, and he was named into the squad of the season each time.
2017: Number 10 Jersey and FIFA Club World Cup
In 2017, Modrić inherited the number 10 jersey at Real Madrid. In December, he won the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup and received the Golden Ball award as the best player of the competition for his performance.
2017: Champions League Title and UEFA Award
In 2017, Modrić won the 2016–17 La Liga and the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid, where he provided the assist for Cristiano Ronaldo's second goal in the final against Juventus. Modrić was also included in Champions League team of the season and received the UEFA Club Football award for Best Midfielder of the Champions League season.
August 2018: Arrival of Julen Lopetegui
In August 2018, with the arrival of Julen Lopetegui as the new manager, Modrić was given a gradual return to the first team due to his lack of pre-season training after the 2018 World Cup. He made a substitute appearance in the UEFA Super Cup.
2018: New team captain for the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign
For Croatia's 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, Modrić became the new team captain, following Darijo Srna's retirement.
2018: World Cup Golden Ball
In 2018, Luka Modrić led Croatia to the World Cup final, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
2018: Contract Extension with Real Madrid
In August 2014, Modrić signed a new contract with Real Madrid, extending his stay until 2018.
January 2019: Scoring in Consecutive League Games
In January 2019, Modrić scored in two consecutive league games for Real Madrid for the first time, against Real Betis and Sevilla. In the same month was included in the UEFA Team of the Year (2018) for the third time in his career.
August 2019: Seventh anniversary of Modrić's signing with Real Madrid
In August 2019, it marked the seventh anniversary of Luka Modrić's signing with Real Madrid. Despite concerns about his age and commitment to the national team, Modrić expressed his determination to regain his best form.
January 2020: Scored the 100th career goal
On January 8, 2020, Modrić scored his fifth goal of the season and 100th career goal with a trivela in a 3–1 victory against Valencia in the semi-finals of 2019–20 Supercopa de España. On January 12, he successfully converted a penalty in a shootout as Real Madrid beat Atlético 4–1 on penalties in the final.
October 2020: Scored first goal of the 2020–21 season and Clásico goal
On October 21, 2020, Modrić scored his first goal of the 2020–21 season in a Champions League 3–2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk. Three days later, he scored his first ever Clásico goal as Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 3–1.
2020: Modrić's Contract with Real Madrid Extends Until 2020
On 18 October 2016, Modrić signed a new contract with Real Madrid, extending his stay until 2020.
March 2021: Most Capped Player for Croatia
In March 2021, Luka Modrić became the country's most capped player.
May 2021: Contract extension with Real Madrid
In May 2021, specifically on the 25th, Luka Modrić extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2022.
October 2021: Played 400th game for Real Madrid
On October 24, 2021, Modrić played his 400th game for Real Madrid in a 2–1 Clásico victory.
December 2021: Played 100th Champions League game
On December 7, 2021, Modrić played his 100th Champions League game and was named Man of the Match in a 2–0 victory over Inter Milan.
2021: Extension of Stay at Real Madrid
In 2018, Winning the Ballon d'Or triggered a clause in his contract, ensuring his stay at the club until 2021.
January 2022: Man of the Match in the 2022 Supercopa de España Final
On January 16, 2022, Modrić scored the first goal in the 2022 Supercopa de España Final and was named Man of the Match, as Real Madrid defeated Athletic Bilbao 2–0.
June 2022: Renewed contract until 2023
On June 8, 2022, Modrić renewed his contract with Real Madrid until 2023.
August 2022: First goal and assist of the season
In August 2022, Modrić scored his first goal and assist of the season in a 4–1 away victory over Celta Vigo in a La Liga fixture.
2022: World Cup Bronze Ball
At the 2022 World Cup, Luka Modrić led the team to a third-place finish, winning the Bronze Ball as the tournament’s third best player.
July 2024: Extended contract and became captain
On July 17, 2024, Modrić extended his contract and became captain of the team following Nacho's departure.
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