Luka Modric - The Croatian Inspiration

February 23, 2009

Luka Modric started his footballing career by playing in the streets of his country, Croatia. His father later took him another step by enrolling him in a football school. From there, Luka grew as a player and sooner than later signed his first professional contract with local team, NK Dinamo Zagreb at the young age of seventeen. When he began, he had difficulty establishing his place in the first team and was loaned out with two friends to Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar. During his one season at Mostar, he was named “Bosnian Player of the Year.” When he returned to Croatia, he had become an even more talented, stronger player. He was once again loaned out though, this time to another Croatian side, Inter Zepresic. In his one season, he helped them to second place in the league table. However, he was so impressive that Dinamo brought him home early.

Realizing the pure talent that they had, Luka became the heartbeat of the team. At this point everyone was beginning to recognize just how much passion and skill that the young footballer contained. Luka went on with Dinamo to win 2 Croatian cups and 3 league titles. At the same time, Luka represented his country in the U-21 side, and when time came for the World Cup 2006 in Germany, he was called to join the first team in one of the most important competitions in football. Later, when Slaven Bilic took over the national team as first coach, Luka was given the opportunity to flourish. From the moment Bilic took over, Luka was handed the same role that he was playing for Dinamo. He was and still is the heart of the Croatia national team.

Playing on the first team for his country now, qualifying for the UEFA Euro 2008 was his next challenge. Despite his small size for a professional footballer, he has the ability to pick apart an opposing side’s defense and did so when Croatia met England in their qualifying campaign. He broke down the English side in order for Croatia to gather a winning 3 points and proceed to the tournament, leaving England disqualified. During the Euro 2008, Luka not only scored the first penalty kick of the tournament, but he converted the fastest ever penalty kick in the entire history of the tournament. Keeping his side ticking, they accomplished a great achievement as they brought down Germany in the group stages and made it to the quarter finals where they unfortunately fell to Turkey. Throughout the tournament, his talent, passion, and personality absolutely shone for the world to see as he was named the “Best Young Player at Euro 2008.”

Luka has since been compared with great legends such as the Dutchman, Johan Cruyff and the Croatian, Zvonimir Boban; he has even been given the nickname “the Croatian Cruyff.” After the Euro 2008, Slaven Bilic told the media that “Luka is the best midfielder in the world,” and went on to later say that the only footballer in the world that is better than Luka is AC Milan’s Kaka.

Recently, Luka has become more and more popular in North London, as he transferred from Dinamo to English side Tottenham Hotspur FC, completing one of the biggest transfers of the summer. However, since the English Premier League is the best quality and strongest league in the world, some doubted Luka because of his rather small stature. In particular, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted that Luka would not last in the big league. Due to Spurs’ slow start into the season, Luka had yet to find his form at the club and others were beginning to think in the same way. Though, in time, Luka has shown that heart can withstand the strongest of challenges. Now being a favorite at the North London club, Luka is again at the heart and soul of the team.

The passion and creativity Luka puts into every performance is outstanding, and it is beautiful to watch him play because with every touch of the ball he conveys his love for the game. Since his time at Spurs, manager Harry Redknapp has built the team specifically around him and as many times as you will ask Harry, he will tell you what a “top-top player” and “world class player” Luka is. Now, Luka can be recognized as the “Midfield Magician” and the “Croatian Inspiration”, and both names suit him well. Much pressure has been placed upon his shoulders and many huge compliments. But he has promised not to let it go to his head and it surely won’t as his best friends say that “Luka is a level headed, modest, genuine, honest guy.”

Everyone who says something about “the little footballer” says something wonderful, as it is hard to keep from it. He really puts things into great perspective and is an inspiration. He truly is one of a kind.

Jill Guthrie

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