Luka Modrić: 100

Like on Wednesday, 1 March 2006, at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, the stadium that made the names of Mladen Petrić and Ivan Rakitić. Croatia senior national team faced the best Argentina team in a very important friendly for both head coaches, Zlatko Kranjčar and Jose Pekerman, since they were testing the best lineups for the upcoming World Cup in Germany. Problems for Croatia after the warm-up: Robert Kovač had to miss out due to left foot injury, Igor Tudor was moved back in the defensive line, and Luka Modrić suddenly found himself on the pitch, first time in this international company.

It was an incredible match of comebacks: Ivan Klasnić secured Croatia the lead, Carlos Tevez equalized, then Lionel Messi found the net with Darijo Srna replying, and Dario Šimić finally won it for Croatia in the closing stages. A true  masters' showdown on both sides. However, there was no doubt for any of the 13,138 spectators, or experts, or journalists: the hero-of-the-match title was unanimously awarded to debutant Modrić, who scored 7.5/10! It is worth mentioning the complete lineup that started the new Modrić era: Pletikosa, Šimić, Tudor, Tomas (46' Tokić), Srna, N. Kovač (82' J. Leko), Modrić (84' I. Leko), Babić, N. Kranjčar (90' Buljat), Pršo (90' Petrić), Klasnić (75' Olić).

The reviews agreed: the debutant played as a veteran, unimpressed by a world-class opponent, challenge, or responsibility. His every move had a purpose, he skillfully handled every ball and passed it on to his teammates. From the beginning, he imposed himself as a key factor, one that can offer even bigger impact; providing stability, he'll be an international and a half!

It was really unusual, and extremely laudable, to present one's value in such circumstances. Luka said:

- I did not dare to hope to play in this match. I am overjoyed. Argentina has several fantastic individuals: Messi, Riquelme, Tevez, Crespo, but we forced them to admit defeat!

Asked if he was Croatia's Messi, Modrić replied:

- I don't think I'm any better after this match than I was before, nor do I think that I've secured my place in the national team. I need to convince everybody that I deserve a spot in the World Cup squad!

That's what he did. Playful, diverse, light. Technically impeccable, physically adequate, tactically brilliant. That day, he became a surprise for Argentina, and an absolute gain for Croatia. It was obvious that coach Kranjčar does not put too much weight on his shoulders – son Niko was taking the key role. Therefore, Luka has missed out on World Cup derby against Brazil (0:1), while he came on as a substitute against Japan (0:0) on 78 minutes, and against Australia (2:2) on 74 minutes, replacing Kranjčar and Olić. Maybe that's the reason Croatia was eliminated following this modest journey through the group stage…

Of course, he assumed the key role for all future Croatia managers: Slaven Bilić, Igor Štimac, Niko Kovač, and Ante Čačić, who gave him captain's armband when Srna retired. And he's pulling Croatia towards Russia 2018. Should he, God forbid, be absent, who knows what would have happened. With grandiose Modrić in the team, it's another story.

The synopsis of his life is well-known material ever for the uninformed, beginning with the murder of his grandfather Luka at the start of the Homeland War in his native Modrići, near Zaton Obrovački, followed by a long and complicated refugee period – that he still loves, since he did not part with his football. From the youth categories of NK Zadar to the professional level at Dinamo Zagreb, including loans to Zrinjski Mostar and Inter Zaprešić. He developed his virtues, and the signature for Tottenham was valued at 21 million euro. All the way up to the idyllic surroundings of Real Madrid giants, who paid 33 million pounds for him, and despite the introductory question on „who's this guy?“. He was quick in answering them.

Luka Modrić is a synonym for loyalty to family and to football. A first-class sportsman moved by passion. A gentleman who has no foul or angry words in his vocabulary. Disregarding the hasty remark to referee Damir Skomina of Slovenia, followed by an apology, there is nothing but pure correctness. His sentences are made of normal words, his attitude is simple, honest, and polite. It is no surprise that he remains the leader of his teammates, a hope and comfort for his proud parents Stipe and Radojka, a protector of his princess sisters Jasmina and Diora. If only his grandfather, the one after who he was named, has lived. But he hasn't, being removed without a reason and without a trial.

Similar to Joško Skoblar, Slaven Zambata, and Zvonimir Boban, Modrić did not fit the high criteria of Hajduk Split academy, as is today's case with Nikola Moro. It is more than obvious that Modrić will never forget Tomislav Bašić, who paved his way towards Dinamo Zagreb.

Spanish journalists Vicente Azpitartea and Jose Manuel Puertas have written a book „Luka Modrić – The Son of War“, with an introduction by Davor Šuker. Luka himself has written the epilogue of „Bronze 98“, ten years following the bronze-winning World Cup that included the outstanding performance of Coupe de Monde top goalscorer, current HNS president Šuker. This is Modrić's text:

I was nearly 13 years old when Croatia was shining in France. Considering the refugee status of my family, coming from Zaton near Obrovac, we were living in Hotel Kolovare in Zadar, and later in Iž. And here in Iž, us kids would occupy the TV room on the ground floors and eagerly wait the matches from Lens, Nantes, Bordeaux, or Paris. My father Stipe and my uncle Željko were with the adults, close by. It was unforgettable. For the sixth year running, I was a player of NK Zadar youth categories, I knew a lot about football and footballers, even though I haven't met any of them. Naturally, I went crazy every time Croatia scored, and in our humble hotel one couldn't hear anything but our fans screaming. In Iž, I've missed only the Netherlands encounter since I was in Poreč, celebrating the bronze in the HNS Summer Camp, in a really sports-loving company. I believed in Croatia, in the quality of this impressive generation. At that time, I did not dare to dream about being a Croatia international one day, yet I would caught myself wondering – IF ONLY I COULD BE ONE OF THEM…!

He can, and he can do even better. However pointless it would be to seek an all-time parallel, search for a winner among Croatian aces such as Ico Hitrec, Bernard Vukas, Stjepan Bobek, Rudi Belin, Velimir Zajec, Marko Mlinarić, Davor Šuker, Zvonimir Boban, Robert Prosinečki… is Luka Modrić at the top of this, or a similar Top 10?

The general agreement states that in ruthless modernism he is – different. That he revels in perfect vision, a powerful first step, firmness in duel that confirms the theory of the big heart in a small body. He is spectacular in changing the rhythm and direction of play. A real class to shake off opponents. It seems that the ball is tied to his foot. He oozes calmness through a worker- and an artist-style. An expert in finding teammates, highly intelligent. He is the master of Real Madrid deep midfield, and a creator of avalanche-like attacks.

Watching LM, it all seems so simple!

He has appreciated Totti, worshipped Boban. On top of the list of postulates sits the one about confidence being the base of everything. Adding persistence and – yes, it is possible – humility. No wonder he became an icon at Real Madrid. Thrillingly, he does not forget old friends, like Marko Oštrić. This summer, he was his best man. He enjoys to spend time with Vedran Ćorluka, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos, and they enjoy his company even better. He maintains perfect relations with coaches, especially Carlo Ancelotti, Slaven Bilić, and Jose Mourinho, while good old Harry Redknapp treats him as his own child. Couple of days ago, Bosnia and Herzegovina manager Mehmed Baždarević was proud to say that he noticed Modrić's talents before numerous other scouts, during his spell in Zrinjski. His transfer value of 55 million euro is no surprise: quick, penetrating, reliable, striving to lead, dangerous with a devastating right-foot shot that can tear down walls. Experienced in all Croatia youth categories, from U-15 to U-21.

His senior silver jubilee came in Moldova encounter (1:0) on 24 May 2008 in Rijeka, golden jubilee on 7 October 2011 in Piraeus (0:2), the diamond one on 6 June 2014 in Salvador against Australia (1:0), while the pearl one is scheduled for 6 October 2017 when Finland visits Rijeka.

One hundred caps is here!

Is it necessary to enumerate all 18 trophies: three Champions League titles, one Primera title, one Copa del Rey, two Spanish Supercups, two World Club Championships, three European Supercups, three Croatian League titles, two Croatian Cups, and one Supercup. Five-time Croatian Footballer of the Year, five Oscar awards, the best Champions League midfielder, selected in the best team of Primera. Croatia international at three European Championships and two World Cups.

With his wife Vanja he is the father of Ivano and Ema, with another girl on the way.

Is it enough for a portrait sketch? On the contrary, this ace's portrait needs no sketch!

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