Croatian Luka Modric has just won his first Ballon d'Or. A trophy that rewards an exceptional season and crowns a remarkable career started in 2003 at Dinamo Zagreb. Return, in five key dates, on the incredible ascent of Luka Modric.
2004: voted player of the year of his championship at 19
Luka Modric made his professional debut in 2003, just 18 years old, at Dinamo Zagreb. The midfielder, who was on loan from Mostar (Bosnia), was voted Bosnian league player of the year in 2004. He was very coveted and returned to Croatia to Zapresic before finally winning the Dinamo for three seasons (121 matches for 32 goals).
March 1, 2006: debuts in selection
It was in a friendly match against Argentina that the Croatian midfielder honored his first selection (3-2). Modric will wait on August 16, 2006 and win against Italy (2-0) to score his first goal. The beginning of a huge career in selection. In 2008, he scored in the Euro and finished in the typical team of the competition despite the elimination of Croatia in the quarter. Captain since 2015, the 33-year-old has 115 caps for 14 goals and remains in a World Cup final against France in July 2018.
++ Ballon d'Or 2018. Luka Modric wins against Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann
April 26, 2008: he signs in Tottenham
Luka Modric explodes in the open and becomes THE player to follow from Tottenham. He continues the performances and is logically requested by the biggest European clubs. He does not hesitate to go to the clash with his coach of the time Harry Redknapp who refuses to let him go to Chelsea during the summer transfer window 2011. Modric, upset, will even refuse to play a Europa League game. He will finally leave the year after after 160 matches played with the Spurs ...
August 27, 2012: he joined Real Madrid
After long months of negotiations, Luka Modric is committed to the largest club in the world against a check of 35 million euros. He won his first trophy just two days after his signing at the Spanish Supercup won against the rival of Barcelona (2-1). He stands out naturally in the midfield and becomes the key element of the Madrid midfield. Since the beginning of his career, the Croatian has won 20 collective trophies, including four Champions League with the Merengue in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
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December 3, 2018: elected 63rd Golden Ball
Already voted best UEFA midfielder of the year, best FIFA footballer of the year, UEFA best player in Europe award, best World Cup player, and best UEFA Champions League midfielder, Luka Modric wins his first Golden Ball, the ultimate individual award from the footballer. A reward that marks the end of an era dominated for 10 years by the Ronaldo-Messi duo and comes to crown the most beautiful season of the middle of 33 years.