Luka Modrić facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Luka Modrić

Modrić in 2021
Personal information
Date of birth	(1985-09-09) 9 September 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth	Zadar, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia
Height	1.72 m
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Real Madrid
Number	10
Youth career
1996–2000	Zadar
2000–2003	Dinamo Zagreb
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2003–2008	Dinamo Zagreb	94	(26)
2003–2004	→ Zrinjski Mostar (loan)	25	(8)
2004–2005	→ Inter Zaprešić (loan)	18	(4)
2008–2012	Tottenham Hotspur	127	(13)
2012–	Real Madrid	378	(29)
National team‡
2001	Croatia U15	2	(0)
2001	Croatia U17	2	(0)
2003	Croatia U18	7	(0)
2003–2004	Croatia U19	11	(1)
2004–2005	Croatia U21	15	(2)
2006–	Croatia	184	(27)
Honours Men's football Representing  Croatia FIFA World Cup Runner-up 2018 Russia Bronze 2022 Qatar UEFA Nations League Runner-up 2023 Netherlands
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:05, 3 January 2025 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:45, 18 November 2024 (UTC)

Luka Modrić (born 9 September 1985) is a Croatian professional footballer. He plays as a midfielder and is the captain for both La Liga club Real Madrid and the Croatia national team. Many people think he is one of the best midfielders ever. They also say he is the greatest Croatian footballer of all time. He usually plays in the middle of the field but can also play closer to the attack.

Modrić started his professional journey with Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia in 2003. He then played on loan for Zrinjski Mostar in Bosnia and Inter Zaprešić in Croatia. In 2008, his amazing skills at Dinamo earned him a move to Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. He helped Tottenham qualify for the UEFA Champions League in 2010. This was the club's first time in almost 50 years.

In 2012, Modrić joined Real Madrid for a transfer fee of £30 million. He quickly became a key player. He helped Madrid win three Champions League titles in a row from 2016 to 2018. In total, he has won 28 major trophies with Real Madrid. This includes six UEFA Champions League titles and four La Liga titles. This makes him the most decorated player in the club's history.

Modrić has won many individual awards. In 2018, he won the Ballon d'Or. He was the first player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win it since 2007. He also won the Best FIFA Men's Player and the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award. He has been chosen for the FIFPRO World 11 six times. In 2019, he received the Golden Foot award for his career achievements.

Modrić first played for Croatia in March 2006 against Argentina. He scored his first international goal against Italy. He has led Croatia's "second Golden Generation". He has played in every major tournament Croatia has qualified for. This includes every UEFA Euro from 2008 to 2024. He also played in every FIFA World Cup from 2006 to 2022. At Euro 2008, he was part of the Team of the Tournament. Modrić led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final. He won the Golden Ball as the best player of that tournament. In 2021, he became Croatia's most capped player. At the 2022 World Cup, he helped the team finish third. He won the Bronze Ball as the tournament’s third best player. He has also been named Croatian Footballer of the Year a record twelve times.

Early Life and Childhood Challenges

The stone house near the hamlet of Modrići, where Luka spent many early years with his grandfather.

Modrić started his youth career at NK Zadar in the city of Zadar.

Luka Modrić was born on 9 September 1985 in Zadar, Croatia. He grew up in a small village called Modrići. His childhood happened during the Croatian War of Independence. In 1991, when the war got worse, his family had to leave their home. Sadly, his grandfather passed away during this time, and their house was burned.

Modrić and his family became refugees. They lived in hotels in Zadar for seven years. His father joined the Croatian Army. During these years, many bombs fell on the city. Football became a way for Luka to escape the difficult reality of war. He remembers it as a tough time for his family. He says it helped shape him into the person he is today. He also said he didn't focus much on the war because he played with many other children. Their parents tried to protect their childhood.

In these hard times, Modrić started playing football. He often played in the hotel parking lot. In 1992, he started primary school and a sports academy. His family paid for the academy with the little money they had. Sometimes, his uncle helped them. As a boy, he was inspired by famous footballers like Zvonimir Boban and Francesco Totti.

Club Football Journey

Starting Out in Croatia

Modrić trained at NK Zadar with coach Domagoj Bašić. Tomislav Bašić, who Modrić called his "sporting father," helped him a lot. Modrić was considered too young and small by Hajduk Split, a big club in his region. But after showing his talent, he moved to Dinamo Zagreb when he was 16.

In 2003, Modrić was loaned to Zrinjski Mostar in Bosnia. He was only 18 but was named the Bosnian Premier League Player of the Year. He later said playing there was tough but made him stronger. The next year, he was loaned to Inter Zaprešić in Croatia. He helped them finish second in the league. In 2004, he won the Croatian Football Hope of the Year award. He returned to Dinamo Zagreb in 2005.

Success with Dinamo Zagreb

In the 2005–06 season, Modrić signed a ten-year contract with Dinamo Zagreb. With the money, he bought a flat for his family in Zadar. He became a regular in Dinamo's first team. He scored 7 goals in 31 matches, helping them win the league. Dinamo won the league again in 2006–07. Modrić was key, helping striker Eduardo score many goals. This helped Modrić win the Prva HNL Player of the Year award.

The next season, Modrić became team captain. He led Dinamo in their attempt to qualify for the 2007–08 UEFA Cup. In his last home match with the club, fans gave him a standing ovation. He finished his time at Dinamo with 31 goals and 29 assists in four seasons. Dinamo also won the Croatian Cup and the league by a large margin. Big clubs like Barcelona, Arsenal, and Chelsea wanted him. But he decided to wait before leaving.

Joining Tottenham Hotspur

Modrić playing for Tottenham Hotspur in August 2008.

Modrić joined Tottenham Hotspur on 26 April 2008. He was the first new player for manager Juande Ramos. Tottenham paid £16.5 million for him, a club record at the time. He chose the number 14 jersey to honor Johan Cruyff. Modrić played his first Premier League game on 16 August.

He had a slow start at Tottenham. He had a knee injury and some media called him too light for the Premier League. Modrić said these "critics push you forward to show people they are wrong." He started playing as a central or left-sided midfielder. This allowed him to show his talent more. He scored his first goal for Tottenham in a UEFA Cup match in December 2008. He scored his first Premier League goals against Newcastle United.

Before the 2009–10 season, manager Harry Redknapp praised Modrić. He called him "a hell of a player and a manager's dream." In August 2009, Modrić broke his right fibula. He was out for six weeks. He returned in December and scored a goal against West Ham United. On 30 May 2010, Modrić signed a new six-year contract. He said he wanted to achieve great success with Tottenham.

Final Seasons in England

Modrić playing against Arsenal in November 2010.

In the 2010–11 season, Modrić scored his first goal against West Bromwich Albion. Manager Redknapp said Modrić was "unbelievable. Magnificent." Modrić helped Tottenham reach the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League for the first time. He was key in their 3–1 victory over Inter Milan. Tottenham was knocked out by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

Modrić played 32 Premier League matches that season. He was voted the Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year. Sir Alex Ferguson, then Manchester United manager, said Modrić was his player of the year.

In 2011, Chelsea tried to sign Modrić. Tottenham rejected their offers. Modrić said he wanted to move to a "big club." He even refused to play in Tottenham's first match of the 2011–12 season. Chelsea made a £40 million offer, but it was rejected. After this, Modrić focused on playing. He scored his first goal of the season against Liverpool. He scored his last goal for Tottenham in May 2012 against Bolton Wanderers.

Moving to Real Madrid

Becoming a Starter (2012–2013)

Modrić playing against Sevilla in February 2013.

On 27 August 2012, Real Madrid signed Modrić for about £30 million. He signed a five-year contract. He made his debut two days later against Barcelona. Madrid won, giving Modrić his first trophy with the club. At first, Modrić struggled to settle in. He missed pre-season training because of his transfer. He often played out of position. In November, he scored his first goal for Real Madrid against Real Zaragoza. Some Spanish newspapers even called him the "worst signing of the season."

However, things changed for Modrić. On 5 March 2013, he came on as a substitute against Manchester United in the Champions League. He scored a long-range goal that helped Real Madrid win 2–1. This match is often seen as a turning point for him at Real Madrid. From March 2013, Modrić's performance improved greatly. He became known for his excellent passing.

Winning La Décima (2013–2015)

With new manager Carlo Ancelotti, Modrić became a regular starter. He played alongside Xabi Alonso in midfield. He was known for his accurate passing, averaging 90% accuracy in La Liga. He also recovered the ball more than anyone else in his team. He scored his first goal of the 2013–14 season in the Champions League. All his goals for Real Madrid so far were from outside the penalty area.

Modrić was on the field when Real Madrid won the 2013–14 Copa del Rey against Barcelona. In the Champions League quarter-finals, he helped Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund. In his 100th game for the club, he helped Real Madrid reach the Champions League final. On 24 May, in the final, Modrić assisted Sergio Ramos for a late equalizer against Atlético Madrid. Real Madrid won 4–1 in extra time, winning their tenth Champions League title, known as La Décima. He was named the "Best Midfielder" of the Spanish league.

In August 2014, Modrić signed a new contract until 2018. He formed a strong partnership with Toni Kroos. In November, he got a thigh injury and missed three months. His absence was seen as a big reason why Real Madrid struggled. His importance was recognized, and he was chosen for the FIFA FIFPro World XI.

World's Best Player and More Champions League Titles (2015–2018)

Modrić playing against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League in November 2015.

When Zinedine Zidane became manager in January 2016, Modrić became even more important. He was called the "master of the game" and the "connector" between defense and attack. He scored a winning goal against Granada. Modrić was a regular starter when Real Madrid won the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League final against Atlético. He was included in both the Champions League and La Liga teams of the season. He also won the "Best Midfielder" award again. He was chosen for the FIFA FIFPro World XI for the second time.

On 18 October 2016, Modrić signed a new contract until 2020. He won the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup and received the Silver Ball award. In January 2017, he was included in the UEFA Team of the Year for the first time. On 12 March 2017, he played his 200th match for Real Madrid.

Modrić was a key player when Real Madrid won 2016–17 La Liga and the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League. He assisted a goal in the final against Juventus. He became the first Croatian to win the Champions League three times. He was named the UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season. He was also included in the FIFA FIFPro World XI for the third time.

Modrić (left) with Gareth Bale during the 2018 Champions League Final.

For the 2017–18 season, Modrić took over the famous number 10 jersey. In December, he won the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup and received the Golden Ball award as the best player. He scored his first goal of the season in January 2018. Modrić was a regular starter when Real Madrid won their third consecutive Champions League title. He was again named the UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season.

Because of his great performances for both club and country (at the 2018 World Cup), Modrić won many top awards. In August and September, he won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award and The Best FIFA Men's Player Award. In December, he won the 2018 Ballon d'Or. This was the first time since 2007 that someone other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo won the award. He became the first Croatian to win these awards. He was also included in the FIFA FIFPro World XI for the fourth time. Modrić said winning these awards showed that "all dreams can come true" with hard work and belief.

Continued Success and Records (2018–Present)

In August 2018, Modrić returned to the team as a substitute after the World Cup. He made his 100th appearance in UEFA club competitions in September. On 22 December, Modrić won his third 2018 FIFA Club World Cup. He scored the first goal in the final. In January 2019, he scored in two league games in a row for the first time. He was included in the UEFA Team of the Year for the third time. Despite a tough season for Real Madrid, he was included in the FIFA FIFPro World XI for the fifth time.

In August 2019, Modrić celebrated seven years with Real Madrid. He wanted to "recapture his best form." He scored his first goal of the 2019–20 season in October. In January 2020, he scored his 100th career goal. He also helped Real Madrid win the 2019–20 Supercopa de España. After the COVID-19 break, Modrić was praised for his excellent play despite his age. In July, he helped Real Madrid win the league title.

On 21 October 2020, he scored his first goal of the 2020–21 season. This made him one of only four Real Madrid players aged 35 or older to score in the Champions League. On 25 May 2021, he extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2022.

Modrić at a trophy presentation ceremony in front of Almudena Cathedral in May 2022.

On 24 October 2021, Modrić played his 400th game for Real Madrid. On 30 October, he captained Real Madrid for the first time. On 7 December, he played his 100th Champions League game. In January 2022, he scored in the 2022 Supercopa de España Final and was named Man of the Match. He became the oldest goalscorer in the competition's history. In April, he made an amazing assist in the Champions League quarter-finals against Chelsea. This assist was called the "pass of the decade." He was a regular starter when Real Madrid won their 35th Spanish title. He also won his fifth Champions League title. On 8 June 2022, he renewed his contract until 2023.

On 20 August 2022, Modrić scored and assisted in a league game. On 6 September, he scored in his first Champions League game of the season. He became the eighth Real Madrid player with 100 appearances in the competition. In February 2023, Modrić was included in the FIFA FIFPro World XI for the sixth time. On 6 May, he won his second Copa del Rey trophy. In June, he extended his contract until 2024.

In the 2023–24 season, Modrić became vice-captain. He played less often due to new players and team changes. On 28 October, he made his 500th appearance for Real Madrid. He assisted the winning goal against Barcelona. On 27 November, he set a record for most club appearances after turning 35. On 30 April 2024, he became the oldest Real Madrid player to appear in the Champions League. A few days later, he became the oldest player to feature in La Liga for Real Madrid. He won his fourth La Liga title, matching the record for most trophies at the club (25). He extended this record to 26 trophies by winning his sixth Champions League final. He is the first player to win six Champions League finals.

On 17 July 2024, Modrić extended his contract until 2025 and became team captain. On 14 August, he won his fifth UEFA Super Cup, becoming the most decorated player in Real Madrid's history with 27 titles. On 19 October, he became the oldest player to play a competitive match for Real Madrid. On 18 December, he won his 28th title with the club, the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

On 3 January 2025, he scored his first goal of the 2024–25 season. He became the oldest player to score for Real Madrid in all competitions. He also joined the top ten on Real Madrid's all-time appearances list.

International Career with Croatia

Modrić started his international career playing for Croatia's youth teams. He played for the under-15, under-17, under-18, under-19, and under-21 teams. His coach, Martin Novoselac, sees him as a role model for young players. Modrić made his full international debut for Croatia on 1 March 2006. It was a friendly match against Argentina, which Croatia won 3–2.

First Major Tournaments (2006–2008)

Modrić played in two matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup as a substitute. With new manager Slaven Bilić, Modrić became more recognized. He scored his first goal for Croatia in a 2–0 friendly win against world champions Italy in August 2006.

Modrić became a regular player for Croatia. He played well in Croatia's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. This included wins against England. Modrić scored Croatia's first goal at Euro 2008. He scored a penalty in the fourth minute against Austria. This made him the team's youngest ever goalscorer at the European Championships. He was named UEFA Man of the Match in Croatia's next game against Germany. In the quarter-final against Turkey, Modrić assisted a goal in extra time. However, Turkey equalized quickly and won the penalty shootout. Modrić was included in the UEFA Euro 2008#UEFA Team of the Tournament.

Later Tournaments and Challenges (2008–2016)

In the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Modrić scored three goals. But the team did not qualify for the tournament. He played in all of Croatia's Euro 2012 qualifying matches. He also played in all three group stage matches at UEFA Euro 2012. Croatia did not advance from the group. His performance against Spain was notable. He was praised by critics for his play.

Modrić and the Croatian team qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. They were in a group with hosts Brazil, Mexico, and Cameroon. Croatia lost to Brazil and Mexico and did not make it to the knockout stage.

In the Euro 2016 qualifying rounds, Modrić scored his first goals for Croatia in three years. He scored against Malta and Azerbaijan. On 3 March 2015, Modrić captained Croatia for the first time. In the tournament, Modrić scored a winning goal against Turkey. He became the first Croatian to score in two different European Championships. He missed a crucial match against Spain due to injury. Croatia topped their group but lost to Portugal in the round of 16.

Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup

Modrić at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He is a key player in Croatia's second Golden Generation.

Modrić holding his Golden Ball award for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Best Player.

For Croatia's 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, Modrić became the new team captain. Croatia struggled at first. Modrić publicly said he lacked confidence in the coach. The coach was replaced by Zlatko Dalić. Croatia then qualified for the World Cup. Modrić scored a penalty in the win against Greece.

Croatia was in Group D with Argentina, Iceland, and Nigeria. Modrić, along with Ivan Rakitić and Mario Mandžukić, were called Croatia's "second Golden Generation." In Croatia's first win against Nigeria, Modrić scored a penalty and was named Man of the Match. He also scored in Croatia's 3–0 win over Argentina. He was named Man of the Match again. His performances made him one of the best players of the group stage.

In the round of 16 against Denmark, Modrić missed a penalty during extra time. But he scored in the penalty shootout, and Croatia won. In the quarter-finals against Russia, Modrić assisted a goal in extra time. He also scored in the winning penalty shootout. He was named Man of the Match for the third time. In the semi-final against England, Croatia won 2–1 in extra time. They reached the World Cup final for the first time ever.

Croatia lost 4–2 to France in the final. But Modrić was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament. He was also included in the Team of the Tournament. After the World Cup, Modrić and his teammates received a huge welcome in Croatia.

Bronze Ball at the 2022 World Cup

During the Euro 2020 qualifying rounds, Modrić scored two goals. Croatia topped their group and qualified for the tournament. On 24 March 2021, Modrić played his 134th game for the national team. He equaled Darijo Srna as the most capped player. Three days later, he broke Srna's record.

Modrić was chosen for the Euro 2020 squad. He was named Man of the Match in a 1–1 draw with the Czech Republic. Four days later, he scored and assisted in a 3–1 win over Scotland. This helped Croatia reach the round of 16. Modrić's goal made him Croatia's oldest ever goalscorer at the European Championships.

During the 2022 World Cup qualifying, Modrić scored three times and assisted twice. On 13 June 2022, he scored a penalty in a 1–0 win over France. This was Croatia's first ever win against France. On 25 September, he scored in a 3–1 win against Austria. This helped the team reach the 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals. On 9 November, Modrić was selected for Croatia's 2022 FIFA World Cup squad. He was named Man of the Match in games against Morocco and Belgium. He became the first player to play in both the European Championship and the World Cup in three different decades. Croatia reached the semi-finals but lost to Argentina. In the third place play-off, Croatia won 2–1 against Morocco. Modrić won the Bronze Ball as the third best player.

Euro 2024 Qualifying and Nations League Finals (2023–2024)

On 25 March 2023, Modrić became the oldest player to play a game for Croatia. He was 37 years, 6 months, and 16 days old.

On 14 June 2023, Modrić led Croatia to a 4–2 victory over Netherlands in the 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals semi-finals. He won a penalty and scored another penalty himself. He was named Man of the Match. Croatia lost to Spain in the final on penalties, but Modrić scored his penalty.

On 20 May 2024, Modrić was included in the final squad for UEFA Euro 2024. He became one of only three players to play in five European Championships. In the last group stage match against Italy, he missed a penalty but scored a goal a minute later. This made him the oldest goalscorer at the European competition. Despite his goal, Croatia was eliminated from the tournament.

How Luka Modrić Plays Football

Modrić is a smaller player but very skilled. He usually plays as a creative playmaker. He controls the game by keeping the ball in the middle of the field. Many experts praise him for his quick passing and long-range shots. He is also calm under pressure and good at avoiding tackles. He is smart about tactics and can play well in both attack and defense. He is also known for his vision, understanding of space, and hard work.

Modrić used to be an attacking midfielder. But he became a "deep-lying playmaker." This means he plays deeper in the midfield. He helps start attacks and creates chances for his teammates. He is also good at taking set pieces, like corners and free kicks.

His playing style has earned him nicknames like "the midfield maestro" and "the magician." He has been very important to the success of both Real Madrid and the Croatia national team.

Personal Life

Modrić married Vanja Bosnić in May 2010. They had been dating for four years. They have three children together. Modrić is a cousin of Australian footballer Mark Viduka. He is also the godfather of Mateo Kovačić's son, Ivan. Modrić generally keeps his life private outside of football.

In late 2019, Modrić released his autobiography called Moja igra (My Game). It talks about his childhood, growing up during the war, and his football career. The main topics are football, family, and friends.

In 2022, FIFA released a docuseries called Captains. It followed six national team captains during their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification campaigns. Modrić, representing Croatia, was one of the stars. It was shown on Netflix and FIFA+.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Croatia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Modrić goal.

List of international goals scored by Luka Modrić

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	16 August 2006	Stadio Armando Picchi, Livorno, Italy	8	Italy	2–0	2–0	Friendly
2	7 October 2006	Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia	10	Andorra	7–0	7–0	UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
3	7 February 2007	Stadion Kantrida, Rijeka, Croatia	13	Norway	2–0	2–1	Friendly
4	8 June 2008	Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria	27	Austria	1–0	1–0	UEFA Euro 2008
5	6 September 2008	Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia	30	Kazakhstan	2–0	3–0	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
6	15 October 2008	Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia	33	Andorra	3–0	4–0	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
7	6 June 2009	Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia	35	Ukraine	2–2	2–2	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
8	6 September 2011	Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia	49	Israel	1–1	3–1	UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
9	9 September 2014	Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia	80	Malta	1–0	2–0	UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying
10	13 October 2014	Stadion Gradski vrt, Osijek, Croatia	82	Azerbaijan	5–0	6–0	UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying
11	12 June 2016	Parc des Princes, Paris, France	91	Turkey	1–0	1–0	UEFA Euro 2016
12	9 November 2017	Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia	102	Greece	1–0	4–1	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
13	16 June 2018	Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad, Russia	107	Nigeria	2–0	2–0	2018 FIFA World Cup
14	21 June 2018	Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia	108	Argentina	2–0	3–0	2018 FIFA World Cup
15	9 September 2019	Bakcell Arena, Baku, Azerbaijan	124	Azerbaijan	1–0	1–1	UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
16	10 October 2019	Stadion Poljud, Split, Croatia	125	Hungary	1–0	3–0	UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
17	30 March 2021	Stadion Rujevica, Rijeka, Croatia	136	Malta	2–0	3–0	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
18	22 June 2021	Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland	141	Scotland	2–1	3–1	UEFA Euro 2020
19	11 October 2021	Stadion Gradski vrt, Osijek, Croatia	144	Slovakia	2–2	2–2	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
20	11 November 2021	National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta	145	Malta	4–1	7–1	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
21	29 March 2022	Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar	148	Bulgaria	1–1	2–1	Friendly
22	13 June 2022	Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France	152	France	1–0	1–0	2022–23 UEFA Nations League A
23	25 September 2022	Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria	154	Austria	1–0	3–1	2022–23 UEFA Nations League A
24	14 June 2023	De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands	165	Netherlands	4–2	4–2 (aet)	2023 UEFA Nations League Finals
25	8 June 2024	Estádio Nacional, Oeiras, Portugal	175	Portugal	1–0	2–1	Friendly
26	24 June 2024	Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany	178	Italy	1–0	1–1	UEFA Euro 2024
27	8 September 2024	Opus Arena, Osijek, Croatia	180	Poland	1–0	1–0	2024–25 UEFA Nations League A

Honours and Awards

Modrić congratulated by bishops of Almudena Cathedral after winning the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League.

Modrić accepting the Golden Ball award after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final.

Dinamo Zagreb

• Prva HNL: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08
• Croatian Cup: 2006–07, 2007–08
• Croatian Super Cup: 2006

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2023–24
• Copa del Rey: 2013–14, 2022–23
• Supercopa de España: 2012, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2024
• UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2021–22, 2023–24
• UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2024
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022
• FIFA Intercontinental Cup: 2024

Croatia

• FIFA World Cup runner-up: 2018; third place: 2022
• UEFA Nations League runner-up: 2022–23

Individual

• Bosnian Premier League Player of the Year: 2003
• Best Croatian U-21 player: 2004
• Croatian Football Hope of the Year: 2004
• Croatian Footballer of the Year: 2007, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• HNL's Footballer of the Year: 2007
• Prva HNL Player of the Year: 2007
• SN Yellow Shirt Award: 2007–08
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2008
• Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year: 2010–11
• IFFHS World Team of the Decade: 2011–2020
• IFFHS UEFA Team of the Decade: 2011–2020
• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21
• UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2021–22
• La Liga's Best Midfielder: 2013–14, 2015–16
• Football Oscar for Best Croatian Player: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• FIFA FIFPRO World 11: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
• La Liga Team of the Season: 2015–16, 2021–22, 2022–23
• UEFA La Liga Team of the Season: 2015–16
• FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball: 2016
• ESPN Midfielder of the Year: 2016, 2017, 2018
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2016, 2017, 2018
• UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season: 2016–17, 2017–18
• IFFHS Men's World Team: 2017, 2018, 2022
• FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2017
• FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2018
• FIFA World Cup Fantasy Team: 2018
• FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2018
• UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award: 2017–18
• The Best FIFA Men's Player: 2018
• IFFHS World's Best Playmaker: 2018
• Goal 50: 2017–18
• Ballon d'Or: 2018
• World Soccer Player of the Year: 2018
• The Guardian Best Footballer in the World: 2018
• AIPS Athlete of the Year: 2018
• Dongqiudi Player of the Year: 2018
• HNS Trophy for Best Croatian Player: 2018
• HOO Sportsman of the Year: 2018
• SN Sportsman of the Year: 2018, 2022
• Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport – Yearly Award: 2018
• Honorary citizen of the city of Zadar (2018) and Zadar County (2019)
• City of Zadar Award: 2018
• Golden Foot: 2019
• Real Madrid Player of the Season: 2020–21
• ESM Team of the Year: 2021–22
• Marca Leyenda Award: 2022
• FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball: 2022
• FIFA World Series ACUD Cup: 2024 Best Player

Orders

• Order of Duke Branimir: 2018
• Charter of the Republic of Croatia: 2024

See also

In Spanish: Luka Modrić para niños

• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
• List of men's footballers with the most official appearances