Luka Modrić, Copa del Rey final Real Madrid and Croatian footballer Luka Modrić in action during the April 2025 Copa del Rey final against FC Barcelona, in Seville, Spain. (more) Luka Modrić Croatian football player Written by Sanat Pai Raikar Sanat Pai Raikar is a quizmaster and writer based out of Bangalore, India. His first quiz book, Three's A Quiz, was written from memory. Sanat has cofounded Quizarre, which provides quiz, crossword,... Sanat Pai Raikar Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated June 2, 2026 •History Luka Modrić (born September 9, 1985, Zadar, Yugoslavia [now Croatia]) Croatian football (soccer) player who is considered one of the greatest midfielders as well as one of the top Croatian footballers of all time. At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Modrić captained his national team to the final and won the Golden Ball award for best player of the tournament. He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2018 while playing for Spanish club Real Madrid;...

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