Luka Modrić's Success and Achievements in Timeline

1994: Equaling Romario's Record

Due to his club, and national team performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he also received the Golden Ball, in August and September Modrić won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award and The Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year Award, while in December, he added the Ballon d'Or to his personal tally, marking the first time since 2007 that the award was not won by Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Furthermore, besides becoming the first Croatian player to win these awards, Modrić was the first player to win both the World Cup Golden Ball and the Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year Award after Romário in 1994.

1998: Equaling Ronaldo's Record

Due to his club, and national team performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he also received the Golden Ball, in August and September Modrić won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award and The Best FIFA Men's Player Award, while in December, he added the Ballon d'Or to his personal tally, marking the first time since 2007 that the award was not won by Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Furthermore, besides becoming the first Croatian player to win these awards, Modrić was the first player to win both the World Cup Golden Ball and the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award in the same year since Ronaldo in 1998

1999: Dražen Ladić's record

In March 2023, Luka Modrić became the oldest player to play for Croatia at 37 years, 6 months, and 16 days, surpassing Dražen Ladić's 1999 record in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match against Wales.

2003: Loaned to Zrinjski Mostar

In 2003, Luka Modrić was loaned to Zrinjski Mostar in the Bosnian Premier League, where he became Bosnian Premier League Player of the Year.

2004: First Eastern European Ballon d'Or Winner Since Shevchenko

Due to his club, and national team performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he also received the Golden Ball, in August and September Modrić won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award and The Best FIFA Men's Player Award, while in December, he added the Ballon d'Or to his personal tally, marking the first time since 2007 that the award was not won by Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Furthermore, besides becoming the first Croatian player to win these awards, Modrić was the first player to win both the World Cup Golden Ball and the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award in the same year since Ronaldo in 1998, and the World Cup Golden Ball and the Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year Award after Romário in 1994. Additionally, he is the first player to win the awards from the former Yugoslavia territory, the first footballer from Eastern Europe to win a Ballon d'Or after Andriy Shevchenko in 2004, and the tenth player from Real Madrid to capture the trophy.

2004: Croatian Football Hope of the Year

In 2004, Luka Modrić won the Croatian Football Hope of the Year award.

2006: League Win with Dinamo Zagreb

In the 2005-06 season, Luka Modrić helped Dinamo Zagreb win the league, contributing 7 goals in 31 matches.

2007: Croatian Footballer of the Year

Between 2007 and 2024, Luka Modrić was named Croatian Footballer of the Year a record thirteen times.

2007: End of Messi/Ronaldo Dominance

Due to his club, and national team performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he also received the Golden Ball, in August and September Modrić won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award and The Best FIFA Men's Player Award, while in December, he added the Ballon d'Or to his personal tally, marking the first time since 2007 that the award was not won by Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

2007: Prva HNL Player of the Year

In 2007, Luka Modrić was named Prva HNL Player of the Year.

2007: First player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or since 2007

In 2018, Luka Modrić became the first player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or since 2007.

June 2008: First Euro Goal and UEFA Team of the Tournament

In June 2008, Modrić scored Croatia's first goal of Euro 2008 against Austria and was later included in the UEFA Team of the Tournament.

2008: Named in Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament

At Euro 2008, Luka Modrić was named in the Team of the Tournament.

2008: Youngest goalscorer

In 2008, Luka Modrić had set a record for youngest goalscorer.

2010: Champions League Qualification with Spurs

In 2010, Luka Modrić led Tottenham Hotspur to UEFA Champions League qualification, marking the club’s first qualification in almost 50 years.

2011: Top-Rated Midfielder

By the 2011-12 season, Luka Modrić was statistically among the top-rated central and all-round midfielders across the top five leagues, alongside players like Xabi Alonso, Andrea Pirlo, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Xavi.

August 2012: Transfer to Real Madrid and debut

On August 27, 2012, Real Madrid announced an agreement with Tottenham for Modrić's transfer. He debuted on August 29 against Barcelona in the Supercopa de España, winning his first trophy. Despite a positive debut, he struggled initially due to missed pre-season training.

March 2013: Key performances for Real Madrid

In March 2013, Modrić assisted the winning goal in El Clásico against Barcelona on March 2nd. On March 5th, he equalized against Manchester United in the Champions League, contributing to their victory. On March 16th, he scored a long-range volley against Mallorca, continuing his strong performance.

2013: Key Midfield Role and Copa del Rey Victory

In 2013, with Carlo Ancelotti as the new manager, Modrić became a key starter in midfield, excelling in passing accuracy and ball recoveries. He scored his first Champions League goal and contributed to winning the 2013-14 Copa del Rey against Barcelona.

2013: Champions League Title and Squad of the Season

In the 2013–14 season, Luka Modrić won the Champions League title with Real Madrid and was named in the squad of the season.

2014: Passing Accuracy

In 2014, Luka Modrić consistently demonstrated high passing accuracy, with his highest completion rate in a single match occurring in October against Barcelona when he completed all 42 attempted passes. For all of 2014, Modrić's dribble attempts (75) at a success rate of 76% were second in Europe's top five leagues.

2015: Champions League Titles

From 2015–16 to 2017-18 Luka Modrić was a key member of Madrid’s three consecutive Champions League titles.

January 2016: Zidane's Arrival and Winning Goal Against Granada

In January 2016, with Zinedine Zidane's arrival as manager, Modrić was described as the "master of the game". On February 7, he scored a winning goal against Granada. He won the 2015-16 Champions League with Real Madrid and was included in the Champions League and La Liga team of the season.

2016: Key member of Real Madrid

After Zinedine Zidane took over Madrid in 2016, Luka Modrić became a key member of the team, securing three consecutive Champions League titles from 2015–16 to 2017–18.

2016: La Liga and Champions League Titles

In 2016, Modrić played a key role as Real Madrid won the 2016-17 La Liga and the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League.

2016: Euro 2016

In 2016, Modrić scored the match-winning goal against Turkey in the Euro 2016 group stage and was named Man of the Match. He became the first Croatian to score at two separate European Championships.

2016: Zidane's Prediction

In 2016, Zinedine Zidane included Luka Modrić in his best XI and predicted that Modrić would win Ballon d'Or.

January 2017: Inclusion in UEFA Team of the Year

In January 2017, Modrić was included in the UEFA Team of the Year (2016) for the first time.

March 2017: 200th Match for Real Madrid

On March 12, 2017, in a 2–1 win over Real Betis, Modrić played his 200th match for Real Madrid.

2017: Champions League Titles

From 2015–16 to 2017-18 Luka Modrić was a key member of Madrid’s three consecutive Champions League titles.

2017: Champions League Win and Best Midfielder Award

In 2017, Modrić contributed to Real Madrid's Champions League victory, providing an assist in the final. He was named Best Midfielder of the Champions League season. He also secured fifth position at 2017 Ballon d'Or.

2017: Inheriting Number 10 Jersey and Club World Cup Victory

In 2017, Modrić inherited the number 10 jersey for the 2017–18 season and won the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup, receiving the Golden Ball award. He was included in the UEFA Team of the Year (2017).

January 2018: Goal against Deportivo de La Coruña and UEFA Team of the Year

In January 2018, Modrić scored against Deportivo de La Coruña and was included in the UEFA Team of the Year (2017).

December 2018: Perjury charge rejected

In December 2018, the perjury charge against Luka Modrić was rejected by the Croatian courts.

2018: Croatia's 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign

In 2018, Luka Modrić became the captain of the Croatian national team following Darijo Srna's retirement. After some disappointing results, including a draw with Finland where Modrić marked his 100th cap, Modrić voiced his lack of confidence in coach Ante Čačić, who was subsequently replaced by Zlatko Dalić. Modrić later scored a penalty against Greece, helping Croatia to qualify for the World Cup.

2018: Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup

In 2018, Luka Modrić led Croatia to the World Cup final and won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

2018: Ballon d'Or Winner

In 2018, Luka Modrić won the Ballon d'Or, becoming the first player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award since 2007. He also won The Best FIFA Men's Player award, UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award, and the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker award.

2018: Awards and Contract Extension

In 2018, Modrić won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award, The Best FIFA Men's Player Award, and the Ballon d'Or. This triggered a contract clause, ensuring his stay at Real Madrid until 2021. He was also included in the FIFA FIFPro World XI for the fourth time.

March 2019: Appearing on Hrvatska pošta postage stamp

In March 2019, Luka Modrić received the honor of appearing on the Hrvatska pošta postage stamp.

2019: Golden Foot Award

In 2019, Luka Modrić was awarded the Golden Foot award for his career achievements and personality.

January 2020: 100th Career Goal

On January 8, 2020, Modrić scored his fifth goal of the season and 100th career goal in a 3–1 victory against Valencia in the semi-finals of the 2019–20 Supercopa de España.

October 2020: Goal Against Shakhtar Donetsk and Clásico Goal

On October 21, 2020, Modrić scored his first goal of the 2020–21 season in a Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk, becoming the fourth player in club history to score in the competition aged 35 or older. Three days later, he scored his first Clásico goal against Barcelona.

2020: UEFA Euro 2020

In 2020, Luka Modrić was selected for the UEFA Euro 2020 squad. He was named Man of the Match in the 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic on June 18. Later, in the 3-1 victory over Scotland on June 22, he scored a goal and provided an assist, helping Croatia advance to the round of 16.

March 2021: Croatia's Most Capped Player

In March 2021, Luka Modrić became the country's most capped player.

March 2021: Equalling and surpassing Darijo Srna's record

In March 2021, Luka Modrić equaled Darijo Srna's record as the most capped player for Croatia with 134 appearances, during a 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Slovenia. Three days later, he surpassed Srna's record in a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Cyprus.

October 2021: 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: 100th Champions League Game

On December 7, 2021, Modrić played his 100th Champions League game in a 2–0 victory over Inter Milan, where he was named Man of the Match.

January 2022: Supercopa de España Final Goal and Man of the Match

On January 16, 2022, Modrić scored the first goal in the 2022 Supercopa de España Final, becoming the oldest goalscorer in the competition's history, and was named Man of the Match.

June 2022: UEFA Nations League A win against France

On June 13, 2022, Luka Modrić scored a penalty in Croatia's 1-0 away win against France in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League A. This marked Croatia's first-ever win against France.

2022: Bronze Ball at the 2022 World Cup

At the 2022 World Cup, Luka Modrić led the Croatian team to a third-place finish, earning the Bronze Ball as the tournament’s third-best player.

February 2023: Inclusion in FIFA FIFPro World XI

In February 2023, Modrić was included for the sixth time in the FIFA FIFPro World XI.

March 2023: Oldest player for Croatia

On March 25, 2023, Luka Modrić became the oldest player to play for Croatia at 37 years, 6 months, and 16 days, surpassing Dražen Ladić's 1999 record in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match against Wales.

June 2023: UEFA Nations League Finals

On June 14, 2023, Luka Modrić led Croatia to victory over the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals, winning a penalty and assisting a goal, earning Man of the Match. Croatia lost to Spain in the final.

2023: 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals

In 2023, Luka Modrić helped Croatia advance to the 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals. On September 25, 2022, he scored the opening goal in a 3-1 away victory against Austria. In the World Cup, he captained Croatia to the semi-finals and won the Bronze Ball after their third-place victory over Morocco.

April 2024: Oldest Real Madrid Player in Champions League

On April 30, 2024, during the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, Modrić became the oldest Real Madrid player to appear in the tournament at 38 years and 234 days, surpassing Puskás's record.

2024: UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying Match

On March 25, 2023, Luka Modrić became the oldest player to play for Croatia at 37 years, 6 months, and 16 days, surpassing Dražen Ladić's 1999 record in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match against Wales.

January 2025: Oldest Goalscorer for Real Madrid

On January 3, 2025, Modrić became the oldest player to score for Real Madrid in all competitions, aged 39 years and 116 days, surpassing Ferenc Puskás's record set in 1966, during a 2–1 victory over Valencia. He also made his 561st appearance for the club.