Luka Modrić, Croatian football legend and global icon, bids farewell to Real Madrid after a stellar career. This tribute explores his lasting legacy, global recognition, personal roots, and why he remains a powerful symbol of Croatian pride on and off the pitch.
Farewell to Real Madrid
Croatian captain Luka Modrić said farewell to Real Madrid last week.
He will play a few more matches at the final stage of the FIFA Club World Cup, and that will be it – as far as, according to many, the best football club in the world is concerned.
Luka departed to a standing ovation from the fans, with tears from those who loved and respected him for what he gave both on and off the pitch.
Through his longevity, fighting spirit and graceful play, Modrić has truly become a synonym for Croatia.
Croatia equals Modrić for fans abroad
When you travel abroad and people approach you asking where you are from, once they hear “Croatia,” their first reaction – often accompanied by a broad smile – is likely to be: “Luka Modrić!”
They’ll say that before mentioning the beauty of Croatia’s coastline or the impressive walls of Dubrovnik. In the late 1990s, Croatian tourists might have been reminded of Šuker or Kukoč.
Now, far more than any of them, it’s Luka – once a refugee from near Zadar – who comes to mind.
An Ivorian footballer’s story
A few years ago, a footballer from Ivory Coast joined the club Gorica, near Zagreb. During an interview with a sports newspaper, he was asked how his family reacted when they heard he was heading there.
He candidly described the moment. “When I told my father I was going to Gorica, he asked where that was. I told him Europe, Croatia,” he said.
But his father still looked at him, puzzled and uncertain about the location.
Then the footballer had a stroke of brilliance. “I’m going to the country of Luka Modrić,” he told him.
His father immediately patted him on the back with approval. Luka is polite and courteous, gives his all for his team, and even more for the national side.
It’s likely his father viewed the entire country through the lens of Luka’s character.
A nation shaped by its footballers
This happened shortly after the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where Croatia captured global attention with their tenacity and football that showed Croatia must never be underestimated. The footballer’s mother chimed in too.
“And Kolinda,” she added – remembering President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović for her passionate support in the Croatian jersey, and for the scene where she stood in the rain as the trophy was awarded to the French team, and Modrić received the Golden Ball.
Loyal to his roots
At the end of his career at Real, Modrić recently gave an interview to a Spanish YouTuber.
The conversation was relaxed, and one of the questions asked was who his favourite singers were. The Spaniard likely expected to hear names of local music stars.
But despite years abroad – first in London, then in Madrid – Modrić hasn’t forgotten his roots. His top choice is Thompson, followed by the pop-rock band Crvena jabuka.
And among his top five favourite players is another Croat – Zvonimir Boban. “He was my idol,” Modrić said.
A fitting farewell
Finally, we must mention the scoreboard at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Alongside farewell messages in Spanish, there were also words in Croatian: “Luka – thank you!” His picture was accompanied by the Croatian flag and the name of the country – Croatia.
Related story: Why Luka Modrić should sign for NK Varaždin