Luka Modric Has Reached 200
Luka Modric, the Croatian legend, played his 200th International game for his country against Panama in a crucial Group L clash at the BMO Field in Toronto.
Only 3 players Have Played More Than Luka
Only three other players have played more games than Modric: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal 230), Bader Al-Mutawa ( Kuwait 202 ) and Lionel Messi ( Argentina 201 ), which is such an exceptional achievement.
A Piece Penned For Luka Modric During The Last World Cup
During the last World Cup in Qatar, I had written a piece on Luka Modric, as I wasn’t expecting him to be around the World Cup in 2026. But Luka has defied age, worked hard and has kept himself relevant to his Team.
READ Luka
A Player of Exceptional Quality
A player of exceptional quality, Modric, the former captain of Real Madrid, with a stint also with Tottenham Hotspur, has been a gift to the sport. His light frame notwithstanding, Luka is forged in steel, both mentally and physically. His skills are sublime with an incredible temperament. A player who just refuses to submit.
An Extract of the Piece Is Produced Below
I wish to reproduce below an extract from my article written more than 3 years ago on Luka’s life from a fine childhood, through to the perils of war, which shaped him not only as a player but also as a tough cookie.
Early Life
Luka was born in a small hamlet of Modrici, north of the city of Zadar in Croatia in the year 1985 . His parents worked in a knitwear factory. Luka was a happy child and enjoyed shepherding goats aged 5 in Modrici. It was a normal childhood for a simple boy with a humble family background. However life took a serious turn when the War broke out . Luka’s paternal grandfather ( whom he was named after ) was killed by rebels in 1991 and their house burnt to ashes as the family fled Modrici and took refuge in the city of Zadar.
The Perils of War
Luka’s family had been displaced completely and were turned refugees with nothing of their own. His father got employed in the Croatian Army as a mechanic and they stayed at a couple of Hotels in Zadar for almost a decade. Luka’s childhood though was badly affected, his parents did not let the pain and agony get to him and tried their best to give Luka a normal childhood with whatever resources they had.
Luka & Football Come Together
Luka took a fancy for football. He played in the parking lot of the Hotel he stayed and the sport became a major diversion from the perils of the ongoing War. The school and the sports academy he went to in Zadar also helped his family with financial assistance whenever required. Luka’s talent began to flourish and though he was lightly built, his sheer skill with the ball was catching attention all over. As luck would have it, the hardworking boy was introduced to Tomislav Basic who took him under his tutelage . Considered by Luka as his Sporting Father, Basic was instrumental in the development of Luka Modric into a player of remarkable ability and stature.
Ante Budimir Scores To Gift Luka A Victory in his 200th Match
Croatia beat Panama and appear to be almost certain to qualify for the next stage. Anti Budimir scored in the 54th minute while Livakovic, Croatia’s brilliant goalkeeper, denied Panama to keep a clean sheet.
Luka Modric, true to his nature, is not hanging up his boots just yet.
What a player!!. True Inspiration.
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