WITH one of the greatest footballers of the modern era last weekend playing his final game at the club, speculation is now rife. Many wonder what Croatian superstar Luka Modrić’s next move will be. It could potentially be career-ending.
No one can deny that Modrić’s farewell sendoff at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Saturday night was a true once-in-a-lifetime moment. The scenes unfolded that would later sweep the entire globe.
And will continue to do so for days, weeks, months and maybe even years…
Speculation is now rife that the dynamic midfield maestro from the Zadar hinterland will end up at either Swansea City or a major MLS outfit. This could include Miami FC to link up with another modern-era great, Lionel Messi. There has even been talk that a lucrative offer has been tabled by an unknown Saudi club.
Then of course there is the fairy tale scenario of Modrić joining the original Vatreni great, Zvonimir Boban. He could help fashion a new era of greatness at his true love, Dinamo Zagreb.
But what if Modrić’s end destination proves to be none of the above? What if his next move was to be one which would stun the entire footballing world? It could see the diminutive Dalmatian magician sign for a little-known provincial Croatian club such as NK Varaždin?!
Now, why would Modrić – arguably one of, if not THE greatest midfielder of all time – sign for a small, globally speaking insignificant club such as the ‘Bumbari’?
Let’s face it. Modrić is not your stereotypical world football superstar. Yes, he has got an abundance of both fortune and fame. But deep down, he is a family man, with conservative family values. He is a domoljub (patriot) and a simple, village boy at heart.
And with all such individuals that hail from Croatia, his single most important focus in life is his devotion to God, family, and to his people (nation).
Luka Modrić is no different.
The “Modrić Factor” and NK Varaždin
Let’s ask ourselves then, what would the “Modrić Factor” do for NK Varaždin and the HNL (Croatian Football League) in general?
It would undoubtedly result in unprecedented publicity for the club. Home attendances – not just for the traditional Hajduk and Dinamo games – would skyrocket. Consequently, so would club merchandise sales. The incredible increase in sponsorship Euros that the northern Croatian club would attract.
But above all that, Modric would be in a position to elevate Varaždin to superclub status. Hence, they could rightfully join the ‘Big Four’ – Dinamo, Hajduk, NK Rijeka, and NK Osijek. They would join as giants of not just Croatian football, but the Southeastern European region.
And, most of all, he would leave behind a legacy for not just NK Varaždin and the city of Varaždin, but for the HNL. He would influence domestic Croatian football for generations to come.
It may even open up opportunities for other famous and successful Croatian footballers. These players could, post playing careers, invest directly into their local region clubs and take them to another level.
But how would it be possible – even feasible – for such a legacy to be created?
The key could well be a direct (and indirect) link between Luka Modric and the club from the northern Croatian Baroque city. This connection would allow such a speculative move to become a real possibility.
The vital “Dalić Factor”…
The Croatian national team coach, Zlatko Dalić, calls the Baroque city home. He has business interests there (his well-known restaurant The Family), and to boot, his son Toni is a long-time Chief Executive Officer and Executive Board member at NK Varaždin.
Signing for the club could provide Modric with a foot in the door. Possibly, along with Dalić as a newfound business partner, he could purchase a stake in NK Varaždin. This would transform the club into private ownership.
Finishing in a remarkable fourth position in the recently concluded HNL competition, the Nikola Šafarić coached team attracted decent crowds. They unearthed some top young talent. This talent will no doubt be forced to transfer to greener pastures due to the limited budget at Varaždin.
The club clearly punches above its weight, despite its very limited available funds. However, it lacks the marketing resources and strategic business direction that a privately funded club could provide.
The club’s 10,000 capacity stadium (pictured above) is quite decent, albeit rundown. Plans are afoot to eventually redevelop the stadium. This is the case throughout Croatia, after many years of widespread infrastructure neglect. Private ownership by two of the country’s biggest football icons would undoubtedly fast-track any future development proposals.
Modrić has already bought a minority stake into Welsh club cs789aa865a8a81a6acs789aa865a8a81a”>Swansea City. A feeder club would directly bridge a potentially future EPL club with one from the fertile footballer-producing factory that is Croatian football. This would certainly be an enticing proposition for Swansea.
The possibilities and opportunities are endless. But it all comes back to the legacy left behind by one of the best ever footballers of our time – who just so happens to be one of our own!
A possible move to NK Varaždin would, in the humble opinion of this author, elevate Luka Modric to a ‘God-like’ status unseen by any footballer EVER in the modern game.
At least in his native Croatia….
[…] Why Luka Modrić should sign for NK Varaždin […]