PlayerCroatia

Luka Modrić

The 2018 Ballon d'Or, six Champions Leagues, and Croatia's most-capped player.

Position
Midfielder
Club
AC Milan
Born
9 September 1985
Birthplace
Zadar, Croatia
Height
1.72 m
Illustration of Luka Modrić in Croatia colours
1Ballon d'Or, won in 2018
6Champions Leagues, with Real Madrid
4La Liga titles
1World Cup Golden Ball, in 2018
13Seasons at Real Madrid, 2012–2025
1985Born, in Zadar

About Luka Modrić

Luka Modrić grew up in wartime Zadar and came through Dinamo Zagreb, with loan spells at Zrinjski Mostar and Inter Zaprešić, before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2008. Four years in north London built the reputation that took him to Real Madrid in 2012, where across 13 seasons he won six Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles and became one of the most decorated players in the club's history.

In 2018 he broke the Messi and Ronaldo grip on the Ballon d'Or, the first other winner since 2007, in the same year he captained Croatia to the World Cup final and took the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. He left Real Madrid in 2025 and signed for AC Milan on a free transfer, wearing the No. 14 at San Siro, and remains Croatia's captain and most-capped player.

Club career

  • Dinamo Zagreb2003–2008
    Six domestic trophies, with loans to Zrinjski Mostar and Inter Zaprešić.
  • Tottenham Hotspur2008–2012
    Four seasons in the Premier League that made his name in England.
  • Real Madrid2012–2025
    13 seasons, six Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles.
  • AC Milan2025–present
    A free transfer after leaving Madrid, wearing the No. 14 at San Siro.

Honours

  • 1
    Ballon d'Or2018, the first non-Messi or Ronaldo winner since 2007
  • 6
    Champions LeagueWith Real Madrid, between 2014 and 2024
  • 4
    La LigaWith Real Madrid
  • 2
    Copa del ReyWith Real Madrid

Records

CroatiaMost-capped player and long-time captain
Ballon d'Or 2018First winner other than Messi or Ronaldo since 2007
2018 World CupGolden Ball as best player, Croatia runners-up
Real MadridWon a club-record six Champions Leagues

Frequently asked

Sources

Reference facts (honours, records, career) are sourced above. Club and squad details reflect the season this page covers and can change.

Last updated