The Football Legend was born to Stipe Modrić, a retired military mechanic who once specialized in repairing cars for gallant Croatian soldiers, during war times. Young Luca, as a child, experienced the horrific events in his hometown of Zadar during the Croatian War. His family were once victims of the Bosnia war, as they spent their lives fleeing from Serbian aggressors.
We presents the Full Story of a Croatian and Real Madrid Football Legend who is best known by the Nickname; “Lucky Luka”.
Our version of Luka Modric’s History, including his Childhood Story, brings you a full account of the notable events of his boyhood days. We then tell you how the Real Madrid Legend became successful in the beautiful game.
The analysis of Modric’s History involves his life story before fame, family life and many OFF and ON-Pitch little-known facts about him.
Story of Luca Modric: From War-Torn Childhood to Football Legend.
Yes, everyone knows about his abilities, but few consider our Luka Modric Life Story, which is quite interesting. Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the meat and potatoes of Modric’s story.
Luka Modric Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
This is Luka Modric in his childhood days.
For starters, Luka Modrić arrived fully on Planet Earth on the 9th of September 1985 in the city of Zadar, Croatia. The Croatian Football Legend was born into a family of refugees, a family that once fled from Serbian aggressors during the heated Bosnia War decades ago.
Luka Modric’s mum, Radojka Modrić, according to our findings was once a textile worker and his Dad, Stipe Modrić, is a retired military mechanic who repaired cars for gallant Croatian soldiers, especially during war times.
Luka, during his childhood times, experienced the horrific events in Zadar during the Croatian War.
There was this little boy who did nothing but kick the ball around at the hotel parking lot all day,” were the words of NK Zadar chairman Josip Bajlo when commenting on Modric in his early days.
“He was skinny and really small for his age, but you could see right away that he had something special in him.”
At this age, little Luka had accepted what he wanted to do in life.
Luka was constantly judged because of his little physique. He was considered small and weak and someone who wouldn’t grow to the physique of a footballer.
One could trust that he will be a big player. However, the ball was ‘pretty in his legs’ as Luka focused on playing on his own in front of his family’s hotel room.
The only way he could check if he was worthy to play football was to go for a youth trial. The opportunity came as contained in the career summary.
Career Summary:
Modric first had a youth trial at Hajduk Split. Unfortunately, just as people said, he was rejected by Hajduk Split for lacking the required physical attributes.
It is still unclear what God did for this gene of his that changed his story. It was still a revelation that Luka was destined to become a top player.
Young Luka focused all his strength on working hard. He later corrected people’s wrong impression that he was physically weak and small.
This came at a time he got what people would call “A narrow success” at Dinamo Zagreb. It was a happy start to his career.
As soon as he entered the club, Modric eventually showed lots of faith and quality. Dinamo Zagreb quickly extended his contract to ten years.
He had a slow and steady growth in height after being fed with lots of growth supplements by club officials.
In a bid to have more experience, Luka was loaned out to Zrinjski Mostar after playing for Dinamo Zagreb. This was a point where his career really took flight. He also had another loan spell at Inter Zaprešić in Bosnia.
After much maturity, he returned and made his full senior debut for Dinamo in 2005. Luka won three consecutive Croatian first-division league titles and domestic cups with them. Again, Modric achieved the honour of becoming the Prva HNL Player of the Year 2007.
In 2008, the youngster moved to Premier League football club Tottenham Hotspur. While there, he led Spurs to their first UEFA Champions League (UCL) appearance in almost 50 years. Luka helped Spurs to reach the quarter-finals of the 2010–11 tournament.
After the 2011–12 season, the youngster moved to Real Madrid for a whooping fee of £33 million. The rest, as they say, is now history.
Luka Modric Family Life:
As stated earlier, his family were victims of the Bosnia war. They spent their lives fleeing from Serbian aggressors.
Lack of a home, few clothes and shelter made his family very poor during the period they were unsettled.
Soon, their refugee poor family background changed when Luka Modric’s father, Stipe Modric, got a decent job as a Croatian Army mechanic.
At that time, Luka’s Grandfather, who was also called Luka, was a Soldier who fought along connecting major towns.
His life was feared as the Serbian Army, the JNA and the army of the “Krajina” carried out intensive fighting and military activities in his zone. Grandfather Luka was killed by his enemies.
After his death, Luka and his family moved to Zadar. As soon as they left, they immediately lit their house on fire – says Stanko Modric, a close relative of the Luka Modrić family.
At Zadar, they settled in a cheap hotel, thanks to monies made by Luka’s father, Stipe Modric, who still remains an expert mechanic. Stipe continued his mechanic job at Zadar.
He provided for his family, thus making them move above the poverty line to a higher middle-class family background. It was a Zadar that Luka started playing football, as stated earlier.
Thanks to Luka’s Career, the life of his family, in spite of the war and the lack of living, normalized to the fullest extent. They are now super-rich, all thanks to Luka’s football money.
About Luka Modric’s Wife – Vanja Bosnić:
The Love Life of the Real Madrid Legend is centred around one woman. Her name is Vanja Bosnić.
They started dating in 2006, during his loan spell return to Dinamo Zagreb. Luka made her his agent as soon as he developed full trust and confidence in her as the woman of his dreams.
Vanja Bosnic is the strong woman behind Luka Modric. She was the brain behind Luka’s transfer battles that made his move possible from Tottenham to Real Madrid.
Luka Modrić is still madly in love with her green eyes (see above), pretty face, height and long, fat, pretty legs, as seen below.
Luka Modric Wife Facts.
A Shy Luka Modric married Vanja Bosnić in May 2010 in the Croatian capital, Zagreb, after four years of dating. His teammate at the time, Vedran Ćorluka, was his best man.
Their marriage was quickly blessed with the fruit of the womb. Vanja Bosnić and Luka’s first son, Ivano, was born on 6 June 2010. Their daughter, Ema, was born on April 25, 2013.
Vanja Bosnić and Luka’s second daughter, Sofia, were born on the 2nd day of October 2017.
Modrić generally lives a quiet family life, all thanks to his humble beginning. He believes he should be seen as a footballer and not a celebrity or model.
Meet the members of Luka Modric’s family.
“I only ever try to do the best I can on the football pitch. I’m not a model or something. I am a football player,” these are the words of a Real Madrid Legend who’s got his feet rooted to the ground.
The only thing which surpasses football in Luka’s mind is his family. For him, it’s about the two F’s- Football and Family.
Luka Modric Biography Facts – FARE’s ‘Euro 2016 Refugee XI:
Modric is of course, not alone in having flourished through adversity and difficulty to become the footballer he later became. Other footballers, as seen below, were also refugees.
Recently, the anti-discrimination football network – better known as ‘FARE’ – once put together a line-up of footballers who were formerly refugees to celebrate ‘The World Refugee Day’.
This team of players included the likes of Granit and Taulant Xhaka (both brothers), Christian Benteke, Nani and the Great Luka Modric.
They are seen as the world’s most active participants who leave everything behind to celebrate ‘World Refugee Day’.
He idolised Ronaldo from a young age:
Modric had a soft spot, not for CR7 but for Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima. The Croatian once claimed…
“Growing up, my first pair of shin pads had a picture of Ronaldo on them. I was a Nike product, and I loved them. I loved Ronaldo.
The old Ronaldo! And I wore those shinpads for years. From when I was a little kid right up to when I started playing professionally in the Bosnian League. It had lots of tears before I eventually gave them to someone as a present.”
Perhaps it’s from the Brazilian Ronaldo that Modric learned how to sharpen his attacking prowess.
When it all went sour at White Hart Lane:
Things finally cooled down with Modric loving life in the Spanish capital. It was Tottenham who still felt bitter about the incidents that once followed his transfer saga to the Spanish giant.
The Croatians leaving the North London club was more awkward than both parties would’ve liked. This was what truly happened.
In the summer of 2012, Modric made it clear that he desired a move to Real Madrid, but Tottenham was, perhaps understandably, reluctant to let their star man depart.
The club was adamant that Madrid must pay £40 million to secure his services and, with Tottenham indirectly blocking the move, Modric refused to train with his club.
By implication, it made Andre Villas-Boas and company to fine him two weeks’ wages, which amounted to £80,000. He paid it and still refused to train. This was when Tottenham gave up and initiated the transfer.
Modric eventually made the switch for £30 million, but bitterness consumed the Tottenham faithful.
Luka Modric Relative is Mark Viduka:
Did you know? The former World Best Footballer is a relative of Australian football legend – Mark Viduka.
Both footballers are cousins. Mark Viduka’s family have their origin in Croatia. They migrated to Australia in the 60s.
Luka Modric Biography – What he will be remembered for:
Luka will be forever remembered for the following attributes when he finally retires.
- We will remember Modric for being the best modern-day’s most diminutive midfielder.
- For his quick and creative playmaking abilities.
- We will remember Modric for his great vision on the pitch.
- For being able to change the course of a game with deft passes, solo, and long-range efforts.
- We will remember Modric for being able to play with both feet.
- For his swift and offensive positioning off the ball.
- We will remember Modric for his ability to pass the ball accurately across long or short distances.
- Finally, for being a master of ‘Pre-assist’.
- For being an inspiration for thousands of Croatian footballers – the likes of Josko Gvardiol and Dominik Livakovic, etc.
