Luka Modric
Encyclopedia
Luka Modrić is a Croatia
n footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur
and for the Croatia national football team
.
Modrić's childhood coincided with the Croatian War of Independence
. After showing promise in hometown club Zadar
's youth team, he was signed by Dinamo Zagreb as a teenager in 2002. His professional career began with loan spells at Zrinjski Mostar and Inter Zaprešić
. While he was playing for GNK Dinamo Zagreb, they won three consecutive league titles and several domestic cups, with Modrić named Prva HNL "Player of the Year" in 2007.
, Modrić and his family lived in the village of Modrići near Zadar
but they were forced to flee the area when he was 6 years old. His father, Stipe, was in the Croatian army, and he lost his grandfather in the fighting while his family were refugees, living in a hotel on the island of Iž near Zadar. It was in these difficult circumstances that Modrić began playing football. When his father returned from the army, he used the little money the family had to enroll his son in the local sporting academy. After displaying some talent, Luka signed with Dinamo Zagreb as a 17 year old in 2002.
After a season with Dinamo Zagreb's youth side, he was loaned out in 2003 to Zrinjski Mostar in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina
. During this spell, he established his versatile style of play and became the Bosnian and Herzegowinian League Player of the Year while still only 18 years old. He later claimed that "someone who can play in the Bosnian league can play anywhere", referring to its physical nature. The following year, he was again loaned out, this time to Inter Zaprešić
in his home country. He spent one season with them, helping the team to achieve 2nd position in the Croatian first league, and a place in UEFA Cup (now Europa League) preliminary round, as well as being awarded the Croatian Football Hope of the Year award in 2004. He returned to Dinamo Zagreb in 2005.
or designated left winger in the team's 4–2–3–1 formation.
In the 2006–07 season, Dinamo again won the league with Modrić making a similar contribution, acknowledged by the Prva HNL Player of the Year award. The following season, he led Dinamo's attempt to qualify for the UEFA cup
. In the final play-off stage, Modrić converted a penalty in the away fixture against AFC Ajax in a game that ended 1–1 after normal time. Dinamo then went on to win the game 3–2 in extra time after a brace from teammate Mario Mandžukić
secured their win on away goals. However, Dinamo Zagreb still failed to advance beyond the group stage.
At his last home game with Dinamo at Maksimir Stadium
, Modrić was given a standing ovation and fans held up supportive banners. He finished his impressive six year tenure at Dinamo with a tally of 31 goals and 29 assists in four seasons, contributing most notably in the 2007–08 season when Dinamo became champions by a 28 point margin and won the Croatian cup in the same year.
on 26 April 2008. He was the first of many summer signings for coach Juande Ramos, and also the Premier League's first summer transfer. After signing a 6 year contract from summer 2008, Tottenham confirmed that the total fee paid was £16.5 million, equalling the club's record fee set by Darren Bent
's move in 2007.
Modrić made his debut for Tottenham on 28 July 2008 in a pre-season friendly against Norwich City
. He played 45 minutes at Carrow Road
during the 5–1 victory. His competitive debut was on 16 August in the 2–1 defeat by Middlesbrough
at the Riverside Stadium
in Spurs' first match of the 2008–09 Premier League season
.
Initially, Spurs used him as a deep-lying playmaker in central midfield, usually alongside Jermaine Jenas
, to utilise his passing range, vision and creativity to optimum effect. However, then-manager Juande Ramos deployed him in an extremely deep defensive midfield role, which his slight frame was not physically suited to. Before joining Tottenham, his greatest success had come in a more advanced, attacking left-sided role. Playing him out of position limited his influence. Modrić also suffered from a niggling knee injury early in his Spurs career and he had to endure being labelled as a "light-weight" by sections of the media. This coincided with his poor form, knocking his confidence and making him even less effective, leading to concerns both for himself and Croatia manager Slaven Bilić
.
With the appointment of current Spurs manager Harry Redknapp
, Modrić was given a more familiar advanced attacking role as a central or left-sided midfielder, which had been a problem position for Tottenham in the past. In the first few months of the 2008–2009 season until the 2009 January transfer window, Modrić assumed a far more advanced role as a second striker behind one of Tottenham's two recognised first-team strikers, Roman Pavlyuchenko
or Darren Bent
. This allowed Modrić to have a far more attacking influence on the team and also utilise his footballing brain more productively, as in the thrilling 4–4 draw with arch rivals Arsenal
on 26 October 2008. Modrić's impact in this position was well demonstrated with Tottenham's 4th and equalising goal when he collected the ball on his chest from Tom Huddlestone
, and after a few controlled touches, unleashed a long-range half-volley which, courtesy of a deflection, hit the post and set up Aaron Lennon
for a tap-in. Since this performance, his form improved considerably for Spurs, coinciding with his club's vastly improved form in the league. Redknapp recognised Modrić's value to his side, setting out plans to shape his new team around the Croatian playmaker.
During the January 2009 transfer window, Tottenham re-signed strikers Jermain Defoe
and Robbie Keane
, allowing Modrić to return to midfield while retaining his advanced attacking role as a roaming left-sided midfielder. Spurs' other major signing, tough-tackling Honduran
midfielder Wilson Palacios
, bolstered Spurs' central midfield and gave Modrić more freedom in attack, while Palacios operated as a more defensive midfielder. Using him in his former position from Dinamo Zagreb days made him even more effective with inspirational performances against Hull City
, Stoke City
and most notably, a match-winning performance against Chelsea
.
Modrić scored his first Tottenham goal in a 2–2 draw against Spartak Moscow
during the UEFA Cup
group stages on the 18 December 2008. He scored his first Premier League goal against Newcastle United
in Spurs' next match, three days later.
said of Modrić "[He's] a hell of a player and a manager’s dream, so I am told. He trains like a demon and never complains, will work with and without the ball on the field and can beat a defender with a trick or with a pass. He could get into any team in the top four and he’ll be even better this season."
On 29 August 2009, during Tottenham's 2–1 win over Birmingham City, Modrić was taken off injured with a suspected calf injury.
The following day it was confirmed that Modrić had broken his leg, sustaining a fracture to his right fibula and was expected to be out for six weeks. However, on 31 October 2009 Spurs' manager Harry Redknapp
announced a delay to Modrić's return. Modrić finally returned to training after numerous delays on 8 December in a match against Grays Athletic
. He made his first start in the Premiership for four months in the London derby against West Ham United which Spurs won 2–0, with Modrić making a telling contribution by scoring with the leg he broke in the 11th minute.
On 30 May 2010, Modrić was awarded with a new six-year contract, that runs until 2016. Modrić said after the deal; "Tottenham Hotspur gave me my chance in the Premier League and I want to go on to achieve great success here with them. Yes, there have been enquiries from other big clubs, but I have no interest in going anywhere. Last season's Top 4 finish was an indication of where we are as a Club and I feel I can continue to improve and go on to achieve everything I want to at Spurs".
equalised. During the match, Modrić sustained an injury which was feared to be a repeat of the broken leg injury he sustained in the 2009–10 season. However scans later revealed there to be no damage. On 28 November, in a home match against Liverpool
, Modrić scored a solitary goal, but it was later credited as an own goal by Liverpool defender Martin Škrtel
. He also scored in Tottenham's 3-2 victory over Stoke on 9 April 2011, as well as converting a penalty at Anfield on 15 May 2011 to complete a 2-0 victory over Liverpool. Modric played 32 Premier League games in the 2010/11 season, scoring 3 goals and making two assists, as well as making the highest average number of passes per game for Spurs, with 62.5, at a an accuracy rate of 87%. At the end of the season, Modrić was voted the Tottenham Hotspur Fan's Player of the Year.
s.
He made his full international debut on 1 March 2006 in a friendly match against Argentina
in Basel
, Switzerland
, which Croatia won 3–2. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup
finals, he made two appearances as a substitute in the group fixtures against Japan
and Australia.
With the appointment of new manager Slaven Bilić
, Modrić earned greater recognition at international level, scoring his first goal in Croatia's 2–0 friendly win over Italy
on 16 August 2006 in Livorno
. His performances ensured a regular place in the international side, and he gave an impressive showing in Croatia's successful Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, which recorded home and away victories against England
.
Much was expected of the young midfielder often dubbed "the Croatian Cruyff
". Modrić scored Croatia's first goal of Euro 2008, converting a penalty in the fourth minute of their 1–0 victory against Austria
on 8 June 2008. It was the fastest penalty ever awarded and scored in European Championship history. He continued to impress at the tournament and was named UEFA
Man of the Match
in their next game when Croatia defeated one of the pre-tournament favorites and eventual finalists Germany.
In the quarter-final against Turkey
, Modrić took advantage of a mistake by veteran Turkish goalkeeper Rüştü Reçber
, and crossed to teammate Ivan Klasnić
for the first goal of the game with only a minute remaining of extra time. However, Semih Şentürk
equalised for Turkey almost immediately. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Modrić failed to score the first penalty with his off-target kick. Turkey went on to win the shootout 3–1. At the end of the competition, Modrić was included in the UEFA Team of the Tournament, becoming only the second Croatian to ever achieve this honour, the first being Davor Šuker
.
1 Includes Football League Cup
2 Includes UEFA Champions League
and UEFA Europa League
in July 2008. His best role is as a central playmaker and during his time at Dinamo Zagreb, he proved his ability to play as an attacking midfielder, especially on his preferred left wing. In the 2010-11 season, Modric has been seen to adopt a defensive midfield role in addition to playmaking, tracking back to win the ball from the opposition and prepare for counter-attack, making him one of the most versatile players in the Spurs squad.
In the Croatian national squad, Modrić linked up well with Niko Kovač
, also demonstrating his defensive ability. Croatian team manager Bilić has utilised Modrić's flexibility to good effect when experimenting with the team formation. Most notably, Modrić formed a "telepathic understanding" with Eduardo
when they played together at Dinamo and the national team. In 2010, Chelsea
legend and former assistant manager Ray Wilkins
, described Modrić as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
n footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
and for the Croatia national football team
Croatia national football team
The Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
.
Modrić's childhood coincided with the Croatian War of Independence
Croatian War of Independence
The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
. After showing promise in hometown club Zadar
NK Zadar
NK Zadar is a Croatian football club based in Zadar, a city on the Adriatic coast. The club was founded in 1945.Josip Skoblar, Đovani Roso, Dado Pršo and Luka Modrić, are among their most notable former players....
's youth team, he was signed by Dinamo Zagreb as a teenager in 2002. His professional career began with loan spells at Zrinjski Mostar and Inter Zaprešić
NK Inter Zaprešic
NK Inter Zaprešić is a Croatian football club based in Zaprešić, a town northwest of the capital Zagreb originally founded in 1929. They play in the Prva HNL after they were promoted from Druga HNL at the end of the 2006–07 season...
. While he was playing for GNK Dinamo Zagreb, they won three consecutive league titles and several domestic cups, with Modrić named Prva HNL "Player of the Year" in 2007.
Early years
During the Croatian War of IndependenceCroatian War of Independence
The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
, Modrić and his family lived in the village of Modrići near Zadar
Zadar
Zadar is a city in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It is the centre of Zadar county and the wider northern Dalmatian region. Population of the city is 75,082 citizens...
but they were forced to flee the area when he was 6 years old. His father, Stipe, was in the Croatian army, and he lost his grandfather in the fighting while his family were refugees, living in a hotel on the island of Iž near Zadar. It was in these difficult circumstances that Modrić began playing football. When his father returned from the army, he used the little money the family had to enroll his son in the local sporting academy. After displaying some talent, Luka signed with Dinamo Zagreb as a 17 year old in 2002.
After a season with Dinamo Zagreb's youth side, he was loaned out in 2003 to Zrinjski Mostar in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the top football league in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the country's most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs with last two teams relegated at the end of every season....
. During this spell, he established his versatile style of play and became the Bosnian and Herzegowinian League Player of the Year while still only 18 years old. He later claimed that "someone who can play in the Bosnian league can play anywhere", referring to its physical nature. The following year, he was again loaned out, this time to Inter Zaprešić
NK Inter Zaprešic
NK Inter Zaprešić is a Croatian football club based in Zaprešić, a town northwest of the capital Zagreb originally founded in 1929. They play in the Prva HNL after they were promoted from Druga HNL at the end of the 2006–07 season...
in his home country. He spent one season with them, helping the team to achieve 2nd position in the Croatian first league, and a place in UEFA Cup (now Europa League) preliminary round, as well as being awarded the Croatian Football Hope of the Year award in 2004. He returned to Dinamo Zagreb in 2005.
Dinamo Zagreb
In 2005, Modrić signed his first long-term contract with Dinamo through to 2015. After a goalless first season, he managed to secure a place in Dinamo's first team, contributing 7 goals in 31 matches to help win the league. During this time, Modrić rapidly established his role as playmakerPlaymaker
In association football, a playmaker is a player who controls the flow of the team's offensive play, and is often involved in passing moves which lead to goals....
or designated left winger in the team's 4–2–3–1 formation.
In the 2006–07 season, Dinamo again won the league with Modrić making a similar contribution, acknowledged by the Prva HNL Player of the Year award. The following season, he led Dinamo's attempt to qualify for the UEFA cup
UEFA Cup 2007–08
The 2007–08 UEFA Cup was the 37th edition of the UEFA Cup, UEFA's second tier club football tournament. The final was played at the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, England on 14 May 2008 between Rangers of Scotland and Zenit St. Petersburg of Russia. Zenit won the match 2–0, with...
. In the final play-off stage, Modrić converted a penalty in the away fixture against AFC Ajax in a game that ended 1–1 after normal time. Dinamo then went on to win the game 3–2 in extra time after a brace from teammate Mario Mandžukić
Mario Mandžukic
Mario Mandžukić is a Croatian professional footballer playing for VfL Wolfsburg and Croatian national team.-Club career:Mandžukić was born in Slavonski Brod, at the time in SFR Yugoslavia....
secured their win on away goals. However, Dinamo Zagreb still failed to advance beyond the group stage.
At his last home game with Dinamo at Maksimir Stadium
Maksimir Stadium
Maksimir Stadium is a stadium in the Croatian capital of Zagreb. It takes its name from the neighbourhood of Maksimir. It is primarily the home of Dinamo Zagreb, the top football team in the country. It is also home to Dinamo Zagreb's farm team NK Lokomotiva....
, Modrić was given a standing ovation and fans held up supportive banners. He finished his impressive six year tenure at Dinamo with a tally of 31 goals and 29 assists in four seasons, contributing most notably in the 2007–08 season when Dinamo became champions by a 28 point margin and won the Croatian cup in the same year.
2008–09 season
Modrić agreed transfer terms with Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
on 26 April 2008. He was the first of many summer signings for coach Juande Ramos, and also the Premier League's first summer transfer. After signing a 6 year contract from summer 2008, Tottenham confirmed that the total fee paid was £16.5 million, equalling the club's record fee set by Darren Bent
Darren Bent
Darren Ashley Bent is an English footballer who plays for Aston Villa as a striker.Bent started his career with Ipswich Town. After progressing through their youth system he made his first team debut in 2001. He made 122 appearances and scored 48 goals in the league for Ipswich, before joining...
's move in 2007.
Modrić made his debut for Tottenham on 28 July 2008 in a pre-season friendly against Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
. He played 45 minutes at Carrow Road
Carrow Road
Carrow Road is a football stadium in Norwich, England, and is the home of Norwich City Football Club. The stadium is located toward the easterly end of the city, not far from Norwich railway station and the River Wensum....
during the 5–1 victory. His competitive debut was on 16 August in the 2–1 defeat by Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
at the Riverside Stadium
Riverside Stadium
The Riverside Stadium is a football stadium in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England, which has been the home of Middlesbrough F.C. since it opened in 1995...
in Spurs' first match of the 2008–09 Premier League season
Premier League 2008–09
The 2008–09 Premier League season was the seventeenth since its establishment in 1992. Manchester United became champions for the eleventh time on the penultimate weekend of the season, defending their crown after winning their tenth Premier League title on the final day of the previous season...
.
Initially, Spurs used him as a deep-lying playmaker in central midfield, usually alongside Jermaine Jenas
Jermaine Jenas
Jermaine Anthony Jenas is an English footballer who plays for Aston Villa in the Premier League on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. He is of mixed African-Caribbean and English descent.-Nottingham Forest:...
, to utilise his passing range, vision and creativity to optimum effect. However, then-manager Juande Ramos deployed him in an extremely deep defensive midfield role, which his slight frame was not physically suited to. Before joining Tottenham, his greatest success had come in a more advanced, attacking left-sided role. Playing him out of position limited his influence. Modrić also suffered from a niggling knee injury early in his Spurs career and he had to endure being labelled as a "light-weight" by sections of the media. This coincided with his poor form, knocking his confidence and making him even less effective, leading to concerns both for himself and Croatia manager Slaven Bilić
Slaven Bilic
Slaven Bilić is a former Croatian footballer and current head coach of the Croatia national team. His playing tenure predominantly comprised extended vocations in his hometown with Hajduk Split and a combination of foreign spells in Germany and England...
.
With the appointment of current Spurs manager Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp
Henry James "Harry" Redknapp is a former English footballer who has enjoyed a long career in football management starting in 1983 with Bournemouth. He is the current manager of Tottenham Hotspur....
, Modrić was given a more familiar advanced attacking role as a central or left-sided midfielder, which had been a problem position for Tottenham in the past. In the first few months of the 2008–2009 season until the 2009 January transfer window, Modrić assumed a far more advanced role as a second striker behind one of Tottenham's two recognised first-team strikers, Roman Pavlyuchenko
Roman Pavlyuchenko
Roman Anatolyevich Pavlyuchenko is an footballer who currently plays as a centre forward for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and for the Russian national team.-Spartak Moscow:...
or Darren Bent
Darren Bent
Darren Ashley Bent is an English footballer who plays for Aston Villa as a striker.Bent started his career with Ipswich Town. After progressing through their youth system he made his first team debut in 2001. He made 122 appearances and scored 48 goals in the league for Ipswich, before joining...
. This allowed Modrić to have a far more attacking influence on the team and also utilise his footballing brain more productively, as in the thrilling 4–4 draw with arch rivals Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
on 26 October 2008. Modrić's impact in this position was well demonstrated with Tottenham's 4th and equalising goal when he collected the ball on his chest from Tom Huddlestone
Tom Huddlestone
Thomas Andrew Huddlestone is an English footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur and the England national team.-Derby County:...
, and after a few controlled touches, unleashed a long-range half-volley which, courtesy of a deflection, hit the post and set up Aaron Lennon
Aaron Lennon
Aaron Justin Lennon is an English footballer who plays as a right winger for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and the England national team.-Early life:...
for a tap-in. Since this performance, his form improved considerably for Spurs, coinciding with his club's vastly improved form in the league. Redknapp recognised Modrić's value to his side, setting out plans to shape his new team around the Croatian playmaker.
During the January 2009 transfer window, Tottenham re-signed strikers Jermain Defoe
Jermain Defoe
Jermain Colin Defoe is an English footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, and the England national football team....
and Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane
Robert David "Robbie" Keane is an Irish association football player who plays as a striker for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer and captains the Irish national football team....
, allowing Modrić to return to midfield while retaining his advanced attacking role as a roaming left-sided midfielder. Spurs' other major signing, tough-tackling Honduran
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
midfielder Wilson Palacios
Wilson Palacios
Wilson Roberto Palacios Suazo is a Honduran footballer who plays in the Premier League for Stoke City.Born in La Ceiba, he played for Victoria and Olimpia in Honduras before moving to England where he played for Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic. In 2009 he joined Tottenham Hotspur, generally...
, bolstered Spurs' central midfield and gave Modrić more freedom in attack, while Palacios operated as a more defensive midfielder. Using him in his former position from Dinamo Zagreb days made him even more effective with inspirational performances against Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
and most notably, a match-winning performance against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
.
Modrić scored his first Tottenham goal in a 2–2 draw against Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow is a Russian football club from Moscow. Having won 12 Soviet championships and 9 of 19 Russian championships they are one of the country's most successful clubs. They have also won the Soviet Cup 10 times and the Russian Cup 3 times...
during the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
group stages on the 18 December 2008. He scored his first Premier League goal against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
in Spurs' next match, three days later.
2009–10 season
Ahead of the 2009–10 season, ex-Spurs captain Jamie RedknappJamie Redknapp
Jamie Frank Redknapp is a retired English footballer who was active from 1989 until 2005. He is now a football pundit with Sky Sports, and an editorial columnist with the Daily Mail....
said of Modrić "[He's] a hell of a player and a manager’s dream, so I am told. He trains like a demon and never complains, will work with and without the ball on the field and can beat a defender with a trick or with a pass. He could get into any team in the top four and he’ll be even better this season."
On 29 August 2009, during Tottenham's 2–1 win over Birmingham City, Modrić was taken off injured with a suspected calf injury.
The following day it was confirmed that Modrić had broken his leg, sustaining a fracture to his right fibula and was expected to be out for six weeks. However, on 31 October 2009 Spurs' manager Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp
Henry James "Harry" Redknapp is a former English footballer who has enjoyed a long career in football management starting in 1983 with Bournemouth. He is the current manager of Tottenham Hotspur....
announced a delay to Modrić's return. Modrić finally returned to training after numerous delays on 8 December in a match against Grays Athletic
Grays Athletic F.C.
Grays Athletic Football Club is an English football club currently based in Corringham, Essex after leaving the New Recreation Ground in Grays at the end of the 2009–10 season...
. He made his first start in the Premiership for four months in the London derby against West Ham United which Spurs won 2–0, with Modrić making a telling contribution by scoring with the leg he broke in the 11th minute.
On 30 May 2010, Modrić was awarded with a new six-year contract, that runs until 2016. Modrić said after the deal; "Tottenham Hotspur gave me my chance in the Premier League and I want to go on to achieve great success here with them. Yes, there have been enquiries from other big clubs, but I have no interest in going anywhere. Last season's Top 4 finish was an indication of where we are as a Club and I feel I can continue to improve and go on to achieve everything I want to at Spurs".
2010–11 season
On 11 September 2010, Modrić scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season with a 27th minute strike which put Tottenham 1–0 up away at . The match finished in a 1–1 draw after Chris BruntChris Brunt
Christopher Brunt is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion. He plays as a left winger and more recently an attacking midfield position. He is also the Albion captain....
equalised. During the match, Modrić sustained an injury which was feared to be a repeat of the broken leg injury he sustained in the 2009–10 season. However scans later revealed there to be no damage. On 28 November, in a home match against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, Modrić scored a solitary goal, but it was later credited as an own goal by Liverpool defender Martin Škrtel
Martin Škrtel
Martin Škrtel is a Slovak footballer who plays in defence for Liverpool and the Slovakia national football team.-Biography:Škrtel was born in Handlová and raised in Ráztočno and began playing football at the age of six...
. He also scored in Tottenham's 3-2 victory over Stoke on 9 April 2011, as well as converting a penalty at Anfield on 15 May 2011 to complete a 2-0 victory over Liverpool. Modric played 32 Premier League games in the 2010/11 season, scoring 3 goals and making two assists, as well as making the highest average number of passes per game for Spurs, with 62.5, at a an accuracy rate of 87%. At the end of the season, Modrić was voted the Tottenham Hotspur Fan's Player of the Year.
2011–12 season
In the summer of 2011, Modrić was heavily pursued by cross-town rivals, Chelsea. Chelsea initially made a bid of £22 million followed by a bid of £27 million, both of which were rejected. Tottenham president, Daniel Levy, stated that Tottenham would not sell Modrić at any price. After the failed bids, Modrić announced that he would welcome a move across London and that he had a "gentleman's agreement" with Daniel Levy that the club would entertain offers from a "big club." Speculation continued throughout the summer transfer window, eventually culminating in Modrić refusing to play in Tottenham's opening match against Manchester United (a 3-0 loss), stating that his "head was not in the right place" as he continued to force a move to Chelsea. On the final day of the transfer deadline Chelsea made an offer of £40 million, which was rejected by Daniel Levy. After failing to secure a transfer, Harry Redknapp told Luka Modric to focus on his playing and he has been named as a starter. He scored his first goal of the season for Tottenham in a 4-0 home win against Liverpool.International career
Modrić's first international experience came at youth level, playing for the Croatian U-17, U-19 and under-21 teamCroatia national under-21 football team
The Croatia national under-21 football team, also known as Croatia under-21 or Croatia U21 is a youth association football national team which represents Croatia at this age level and is a feeder team for the Croatia national football team....
s.
He made his full international debut on 1 March 2006 in a friendly match against Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
in Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, which Croatia won 3–2. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
finals, he made two appearances as a substitute in the group fixtures against Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
and Australia.
With the appointment of new manager Slaven Bilić
Slaven Bilic
Slaven Bilić is a former Croatian footballer and current head coach of the Croatia national team. His playing tenure predominantly comprised extended vocations in his hometown with Hajduk Split and a combination of foreign spells in Germany and England...
, Modrić earned greater recognition at international level, scoring his first goal in Croatia's 2–0 friendly win over Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
on 16 August 2006 in Livorno
Livorno
Livorno , traditionally Leghorn , is a port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea on the western edge of Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno, having a population of approximately 160,000 residents in 2009.- History :...
. His performances ensured a regular place in the international side, and he gave an impressive showing in Croatia's successful Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, which recorded home and away victories against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
.
Much was expected of the young midfielder often dubbed "the Croatian Cruyff
Johan Cruyff
Hendrik Johannes Cruijff OON , known as Johan Cruyff, is a retired Dutch footballer and is currently the manager of the Catalan national team as well as a member of the AFC Ajax board of directors. He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973 and 1974, which is a record jointly held with...
". Modrić scored Croatia's first goal of Euro 2008, converting a penalty in the fourth minute of their 1–0 victory against Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
on 8 June 2008. It was the fastest penalty ever awarded and scored in European Championship history. He continued to impress at the tournament and was named UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
Man of the Match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
in their next game when Croatia defeated one of the pre-tournament favorites and eventual finalists Germany.
In the quarter-final against Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
, Modrić took advantage of a mistake by veteran Turkish goalkeeper Rüştü Reçber
Rüstü Reçber
Rüştü Reçber is a Turkish international footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Beşiktaş J.K. in the Turkish Süper Lig.He has played a key role in the success of the Turkish national squad, and it was at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where Turkey finished third, that he earned a selection to...
, and crossed to teammate Ivan Klasnić
Ivan Klasnic
Ivan Klasnić is a Croatian footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers of the Premier League. He is a Croatian international. In 2007, Klasnić underwent a kidney transplant, and became the first player to participate in a major tournament after a transplant.-St. Pauli:Klasnić started his...
for the first goal of the game with only a minute remaining of extra time. However, Semih Şentürk
Semih Sentürk
Semih Şentürk is a Turkish footballer who currently plays for Turkish Süper Lig side Fenerbahçe as a striker, and also the Turkish national team.-Fenerbahçe:...
equalised for Turkey almost immediately. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Modrić failed to score the first penalty with his off-target kick. Turkey went on to win the shootout 3–1. At the end of the competition, Modrić was included in the UEFA Team of the Tournament, becoming only the second Croatian to ever achieve this honour, the first being Davor Šuker
Davor Šuker
Davor Šuker , is a retired Croatian footballer. He played as a striker for a number of European clubs as well as the Croatian national team, where he is the all-time top goal scorer with 45 goals....
.
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | 16 August 2006 | Stadio Armando Picchi, Livorno Livorno Livorno , traditionally Leghorn , is a port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea on the western edge of Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno, having a population of approximately 160,000 residents in 2009.- History :... , Italy Italy Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and... |
Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|||
| 02. | 7 October 2006 | Maksimir Maksimir Stadium Maksimir Stadium is a stadium in the Croatian capital of Zagreb. It takes its name from the neighbourhood of Maksimir. It is primarily the home of Dinamo Zagreb, the top football team in the country. It is also home to Dinamo Zagreb's farm team NK Lokomotiva.... , Zagreb Zagreb Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city... , Croatia Croatia Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ... |
Euro 2008 qualifying | |||
| 03. | 7 February 2007 | Kantrida, Rijeka Rijeka Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants... , Croatia Croatia Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ... |
Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|||
| 04. | 8 June 2008 | Ernst Happel Stadion Ernst Happel Stadion The Ernst Happel Stadium in Leopoldstadt, the 2nd district of Austria's capital Vienna, is the largest stadium in Austria. It was built between 1929 and 1931 for the second Workers' Olympiad to the design of German architect Otto Ernst Schweizer... , Vienna Vienna Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre... , Austria Austria Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the... |
Euro 2008 | |||
| 05. | 6 September 2008 | Maksimir Maksimir Stadium Maksimir Stadium is a stadium in the Croatian capital of Zagreb. It takes its name from the neighbourhood of Maksimir. It is primarily the home of Dinamo Zagreb, the top football team in the country. It is also home to Dinamo Zagreb's farm team NK Lokomotiva.... , Zagreb Zagreb Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city... , Croatia Croatia Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ... |
2010 World Cup qualifying 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 6 The 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group 6 was a UEFA qualifying group for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The group comprised Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra.The group was won by England, who qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup... |
|||
| 06. | 15 October 2008 | Maksimir Maksimir Stadium Maksimir Stadium is a stadium in the Croatian capital of Zagreb. It takes its name from the neighbourhood of Maksimir. It is primarily the home of Dinamo Zagreb, the top football team in the country. It is also home to Dinamo Zagreb's farm team NK Lokomotiva.... , Zagreb Zagreb Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city... , Croatia Croatia Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ... |
2010 World Cup qualifying | |||
| 07. | 6 June 2009 | Maksimir Maksimir Stadium Maksimir Stadium is a stadium in the Croatian capital of Zagreb. It takes its name from the neighbourhood of Maksimir. It is primarily the home of Dinamo Zagreb, the top football team in the country. It is also home to Dinamo Zagreb's farm team NK Lokomotiva.... , Zagreb Zagreb Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city... , Croatia Croatia Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ... |
2010 World Cup qualifying | |||
| 08. | 6 September 2011 | Maksimir Maksimir Stadium Maksimir Stadium is a stadium in the Croatian capital of Zagreb. It takes its name from the neighbourhood of Maksimir. It is primarily the home of Dinamo Zagreb, the top football team in the country. It is also home to Dinamo Zagreb's farm team NK Lokomotiva.... , Zagreb Zagreb Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city... , Croatia Croatia Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ... |
Euro 2012 qualifying |
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup1 | Europe2 | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| → Zrinjski Mostar HŠK Zrinjski Mostar HŠK Zrinjski Mostar is a football team from the city of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club plays in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and has been one of the top teams in the country over the years.... (loan) |
|||||||||||||
| 2003–04 | 22 | 8 | |||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 8 | ||||||
| → Inter Zaprešić NK Inter Zaprešic NK Inter Zaprešić is a Croatian football club based in Zaprešić, a town northwest of the capital Zagreb originally founded in 1929. They play in the Prva HNL after they were promoted from Druga HNL at the end of the 2006–07 season... (loan) |
|||||||||||||
| 2004–05 | 18 | 4 | |||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 4 | ||||||
| Dinamo Zagreb | |||||||||||||
| 2004–05 | 7 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||||||
| 2005–06 | 32 | 8 | |||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 8 | ||||||
| 2006–07 | 30 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||
| 6 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 43 | 7 | 10 | |||||||||||
| 2007–08 | 25 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 1 | ||||||||
| 10 | 3 | 1 | 43 | 17 | 12 | ||||||||
| Total | 94 | 27 | 21 | 15 | 2 | - | 16 | 3 | 1 | 126 | 33 | 22 | |
| Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... |
|||||||||||||
| 2008–09 | 34 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 44 | 5 | 10 | |
| 2009–10 | 25 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 3 | 7 | |
| 2010–11 | 32 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 43 | 4 | 3 | |
| 2011–12 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 2 | |
| Total | 101 | 10 | 16 | 15 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 131 | 14 | 21 | |
1 Includes Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
2 Includes UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
and UEFA Europa League
Style of play
Modrić can play with both feet, and combines this with his swift offensive positioning off the ball. His complex game brought him consistent success in the Croatian first division, as recognised when he was signed by Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
in July 2008. His best role is as a central playmaker and during his time at Dinamo Zagreb, he proved his ability to play as an attacking midfielder, especially on his preferred left wing. In the 2010-11 season, Modric has been seen to adopt a defensive midfield role in addition to playmaking, tracking back to win the ball from the opposition and prepare for counter-attack, making him one of the most versatile players in the Spurs squad.
In the Croatian national squad, Modrić linked up well with Niko Kovač
Niko Kovac
Niko Kovač is a former Croatian footballer who last played as a midfielder for Red Bull Salzburg. He was the long-standing captain of Croatia before retiring from international football in January 2009...
, also demonstrating his defensive ability. Croatian team manager Bilić has utilised Modrić's flexibility to good effect when experimenting with the team formation. Most notably, Modrić formed a "telepathic understanding" with Eduardo
Eduardo da Silva
Eduardo Alves da Silva , commonly known as Eduardo, sometimes nicknamed as Dudu, is a Brazilian-born Croatian footballer who plays for Ukrainian Premier League club Shakhtar Donetsk and the Croatia national team...
when they played together at Dinamo and the national team. In 2010, Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
legend and former assistant manager Ray Wilkins
Ray Wilkins
Raymond Colin Wilkins MBE , often known as "Butch" Wilkins, is an English former footballer and at present a television pundit...
, described Modrić as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Individual
- Bosnian First LeaguePremier League of Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the top football league in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the country's most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs with last two teams relegated at the end of every season....
Player of the Year: 2003 - Croatian Football Hope of the Year: 2004
- Croatian First League Player of the YearSportske novosti Yellow Shirt awardThe Sportske novosti Yellow Shirt award or SN Yellow Shirt for short is an annual football award given by the only Croatian sports daily Sportske novosti...
: 2007 - UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament: 2008
- Tottenham Hotspur Football Club 'Player Of The Season': 2010-11
Club
Dinamo Zagreb- Croatian First LeagueCroatian First LeagueThe Prva HNL , also known as 1. HNL or for sponsorship reasons the MAXtv Prva Liga, is the top Croatian football league competition, established in 1992. The winners qualify for the UEFA Champions League...
: 2005–06, 2006–07Prva HNL 2006-07The 2006-07 Prva HNL season , the 16th since its establishment, started on July 29, 2006 and finished on May 19, 2007...
, 2007–08Prva HNL 2007-08The 2007-08 Prva HNL season was the seventeenth since its establishment, and started on 20 July 2007... - Croatian CupCroatian CupThe Croatian Cup is an annually held football tournament for Croatian football clubs and is the second most important competition in Croatian football after the Prva HNL league championship. It is governed by the Croatian Football Federation and usually runs from late August to May...
: 2007, 2008Croatian Cup 2007-08The Croatian Cup 2007–08 was the seventeenth season of Croatia's football knockout competition. Dinamo Zagreb were the defending champion and they won it for a second year running after beating Hajduk Split 3–0 on aggregate.-Calendar:-Preliminary round:... - Croatian Super CupCroatian SupercupThe Croatian Supercup is a football match between the winners of the Prva HNL and the Croatian Cup. The Supercup serves as a curtain raiser of the new football season and is only held when different clubs happen to win the two most important competitions during the previous season The Croatian...
: 2006
Tottenham Hotspur
- League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
Runners up medal 2008–092009 Football League Cup FinalThe 2009 Football League Cup Final was the final match of the 2008–09 Football League Cup, the 49th season of the Football League Cup, a football competition for the 92 teams in the Premier League and The Football League...
.