Luka Modrić Biography: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!
Luka Modrić is a Croatian professional football player who plays as a midfielder for Spanish club Real Madrid and captains the Croatia national team. He is considered one of the best midfielders of his generation due to his playmaking abilities, vision, passing, and ball control.
Some key facts about Luka Modrić:
- Date of Birth: 9 September 1985 (age 38 years)
- Place of Birth: Zadar, Croatia
- Height: 1.72 m (5 feet 8 inches)
- Current club: Real Madrid (since 2012)
- International caps/goals: 152/23 (Croatia)
What is Luka Modrić’s Net Worth and Salary?
According to multiple reports, Luka Modrić has a net worth estimated to be around $75 million as of 2023. His annual salary at Real Madrid is said to be close to $13 million. The main sources of his earnings and net worth over the years have been:
- Football salaries and bonuses from his clubs like Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham Hotspur and mainly Real Madrid
- Endorsement deals and sponsorships with brands like Nike, Huawei etc.
- Business investments and partnerships
He is currently one of the highest paid Croatian athletes and footballers of all time. Given his importance to Real Madrid still, his net worth will likely continue rising in coming years.
| Year | Net Worth Estimate |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $44 million |
| 2018 | $55 million |
| 2019 | $63 million |
| 2020 | $71 million |
| 2023 | $75 million |
At What Age Did Luka Modrić Start Playing Football?
Luka Modrić developed a passion for football at a very young age. He was born in 1985 in Zadar, Croatia (then part of Yugoslavia).
He began playing football as a child around 6-7 years of age in his hometown. Coming from a family and region with limited means and heavy war conflict in the 90s, his beginnings were very modest.
As a young boy, he honed his game by playing street football with friends and in local youth teams like NK Zadar’s youth system, where his precocious talent started getting recognized.
His uncle was an important mentor too in helping him get chances to train and play with other talented youth players in Croatia at the time. The encouragement and support led the very young Modrić to dedicate himself completely towards making a career out of football.
Professional Career and Milestones
After going through the ranks of the NK Zadar youth system, Luka Modrić began his professional career as a 17-year old in 2002 with Dinamo Zagreb. He helped the club win 3 back-to-back league titles soon after breaking into the first team.
Quickly establishing himself as one of Croatia’s most promising talents, he was named Prva HNL Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007. Bigger European clubs began taking note after that.
Breakout Years with Tottenham Hotspur in Premier League
In 2008, at age 22, Modrić completed a £16.5 million transfer to English club Tottenham Hotspur. This proved to be his breakout to stardom as he mesmerised fans and critics alike with his midfield performances in the tough Premier League competition.
Though struggling with injuries initially, he soon became instrumental to the Spurs team by 2010. His vision, passing range, dribbling skills and ball retention ability made him one of the Premier League’s finest playmakers of the time.
He was included in the PFA Team of the Year for 2010-11 and also named Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year twice. Top European clubs like Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain took serious interest in signing Luka after his dazzling displays.
Transfer to Real Madrid and Achieving Legendary Status
After much sought-after attention, Modrić finally made his dream move by signing with Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2012 on a five-year contract. The $48.7 million deal made him the most expensive Croatian player ever at the time.
At Real, Modrić seamlessly stepped up to elite superstardom. Playing alongside legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, he quickly became the creative heartbeat and engine room of Real Madrid’s midfield. His flawless passing, vision and controlling of games proved integral to numerous trophies.
Some of his major career achievements and milestones with Real Madrid include:
- 4 x UEFA Champions League titles: 2013-14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017-18
- 2 x La Liga titles: 2016-17, 2019-20
- Club World Cup title in 2014 and 2018
- 3 x UEFA Super Cups: 2014, 2016 and 2017
- Named in UEFA Team of the Year multiple times
- Won prestigious Ballon d’Or Award for World’s Best Player in 2018
Relationship and Personal Life
Luka Modrić maintains a relatively private personal life outside of football. He has been married to Vanja Bosnić since May 2010 after the two first met in 2007. The couple have 3 children together – daughter Ema and sons Ivano and Sofia.
He has often spoken about the hardships he faced as a refugee child during the Croatian war of independence in the 90s. The tough upbringing and loss of his grandfather to Serbian rebels have been traumatic memories.
But he credits the experiences with building his subsequent determination and disciplined approach towards football. Off the field, he is regarded as a quiet, family loving and spiritual individual who enjoys reading history.
Outside of Real Madrid, he enjoys enormous popularity in Croatia. His charitable foundation works on projects for vulnerable children and war victims across Croatia. The Luka Modrić Sports Hall was also built in his hometown of Zadar.
Modrić is truly an icon in Croatian sport for his humble origins to superstar ascent. Along with an excellent football legacy, his journey serves as an inspirational story for children aiming big in life. Croatia also dearly credits him for playing a historic role in leading them to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals.
Has Luka Modric announced retirement from international football?
No, as of 2023, Luka Modric has not announced his retirement from international football. After the 2022 FIFA World Cup, there were speculations about whether the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner would retire from Croatia duty considering his age.
However, Luka Modric has expressed his desire to continue representing Croatia as long as he remains fit and able to contribute. Being the captain and record appearance holder for his country, Modric remains an integral part of Croatia’s plans moving forward.
At 38 years old, he is still going strong at club level for Real Madrid as well. Along with superstar teammate Karim Benzema, Luka Modric defies norm about decline with age. He was phenomenal during Croatia’s excellent 2022 World Cup campaign.
While retirement may not be far on the horizon, Luka Modric remains committed on a “year-by-year” basis to representing Croatia as long as possible. When he does retire, he will go down as arguably Croatia’s greatest ever football player.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Luka Modrić is undoubtedly one of the greatest midfielders of his generation blessed with sublime skill and vision. His fairy tale rise from humble refugee child to glittering superstardom has made him an icon in Croatia and inspiration globally.
Through all his unprecedented success, he remains remarkably grounded as a family loving individual. His legacy will be etched in Croatian sporting folklore forever not just for his unmatched feats but also his historic role in the national team’s meteoric rise over the past decade culminating in a World Cup Final appearance.
At 38 years old, he continues to shine and denies norm with his enduring hunger, fitness and exquisite midfield displays for Real Madrid and Croatia dazzling fans globally. Few athletes have sustained such lofty standards for so long. Surely more special memories remain to be created before the curtain call arrives for this true legend of the beautiful game.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luka Modrić
Is Luka Modrić the greatest Croatian footballer ever?
Luka Modrić is undoubtedly the most decorated and internationally accomplished Croatian football player ever. The individual and team honors he has achieved in his career along with his national team feats cement him as Croatia’s greatest ever footballer undoubtedly.
