Luka Modrić's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Luka Modrić.

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.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1994: Comparison to Romario

In 2018, Modrić was the first player to win the World Cup Golden Ball and the Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year Award since Romário in 1994.

1998: Comparison to Ronaldo's Achievements

In 2018, 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, surpassing Dražen Ladić's record set in 1999.

2004: Croatian Football Hope of the Year

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

2004: First Eastern European to win Ballon d'Or since Shevchenko

In 2018, Modrić became the first footballer from Eastern Europe to win a Ballon d'Or after Andriy Shevchenko in 2004.

2006: Wins the League

In the 2006-07 season, Dinamo Zagreb again won the league, with Modrić making a similar contribution.

2007: Croatian Footballer of the Year

From 2007 to 2024, Luka Modrić has been named Croatian Footballer of the Year a record thirteen times.

2007: End of Messi/Ronaldo Dominance

In 2018, Luka Modrić won the Ballon d'Or, ending the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who had won the award every year since 2007.

2007: Prva HNL Player of the Year

In the 2006-07 season, Luka Modrić won the Prva HNL Player of the Year award.

2008: Euro Team of the Tournament

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

2008: Youngest Goalscorer Record

In 2008, Luka Modrić set a record as the youngest goalscorer for Croatia at the European Championships.

2010: Average Passes Per Match

During the 2010-11 season, Luka Modrić had the highest average number of passes per match for Spurs with 62.5 and an accuracy rate of 87.4%.

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: 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.

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.

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's Prediction for Ballon d'Or

In 2016, Zinedine Zidane included Luka Modrić in his best XI and predicted that Modrić would win the 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 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.

January 2018: Inclusion in UEFA Team of the Year

In January 2018, Modrić was included in the UEFA Team of the Year (2017) for the second time.

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: Ballon d'Or, FIFA, and UEFA Awards

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, the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award, and the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker award.

2018: Awards and Contract Clause

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. Winning the trophy triggered a clause in his contract, ensuring his stay at the club until 2021.

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.

2019: Golden Foot Award

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

2020: UEFA Euro 2020 Man of the Match and Goal Against Scotland

In 2020, during the UEFA Euro 2020, Luka Modrić was named Man of the Match in a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic on June 18th. He scored a goal in the 3-1 victory over Scotland on June 22nd and became Croatia's oldest goalscorer at the European Championships.

March 2021: Most Capped Player for Croatia

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

March 2021: Equalling and Surpassing Srna's Record

In March 2021, Luka Modrić equalled Darijo Srna's record with his 134th appearance for the national team in a 1-0 defeat to Slovenia in a 2022 World Cup qualifier. Days later, Modrić surpassed Srna's record in a 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory against Cyprus.

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.

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.

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.

February 2023: Included in the 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

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

June 2023: Victory Over Netherlands in UEFA Nations League Finals

On June 14, 2023, Luka Modrić led Croatia to a 4–2 victory over Netherlands in the semi-finals of the 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals and was named Man of the Match. Croatia eventually lost to Spain in the final.

April 2024: Broke record for the oldest Real Madrid player to make an appearance in Champions League

On April 30, 2024, Modrić broke the record for the oldest Real Madrid player to make an appearance in the Champions League tournament, at the age of 38 years and 234 days.

January 2025: Oldest player to score for Real Madrid in all competitions

On January 3, 2025, Modrić scored his first goal of the 2024–25 season during a 2–1 away victory over Valencia, in which he 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.