June the 18th, 2024 – Incredible Croatian football star Luka Modric had anything but a carefree and easy childhood. Dominated by war, it’s even more amazing to see how this otherwise unassuming man rose to the very top.
He is arguably the most famous living Croat, a global superstar whose magic on the football pitch has inspired millions of kids around the world, many of whom wear the Croatian number 10 replica shirt as a sign of their devotion. But the glittering career of Luka Modric and all the global attention is a far cry from him very humble beginnings in Zadar as a child growing up and just wanting to play football.
During the 2018 World Cup, some footage emerged of a 5-year-old Luka Modric herding goats in the hills above Zadar. It was an insight into a totally different world in which the Croatian captain grew up.
As we prepare to watch Croatia play yet again (and hopefully better), let’s look back at how those who knew the young Luka Modric perceived him as a child. It all started off perfectly in the Zadar hinterland under the care of his doting grandfather, before war took over their lives and forced them to become refugees…
