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 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 Croatia prepares for this year’s World Cup which kicks off later this month, Modric has given a rare interview about his childhood, which started off idyllicly under the care of his doting grandfather, before war took over their lives and forced them to become refugees.
Some very candid reflections from Modric on that impressionable time of his life, as well as some rare footage of him playing as a child. A football was never far from his foot seemingly from the moment of birth.
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