Modric, the war refugee and best midfielder in the world

I’m recently back in Madrid, where I had the incredible luck of being last week to witness the Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich Champions League match. I’m still thrilled, and the images I had the fortune to witness in person keep running through my head.

And I’m not just talking about the game, but everything surrounding the coverage and experience I had. Attending a Real Madrid training session, being present at a press conference with Carlo Ancelotti, visiting the Ciudad Deportiva, and experiencing everything that the merengue club represents has been one of the best things I’ve experienced as a sports journalist. It’s clear to me why they’re the best team in the world. The level of professionalism in every aspect is remarkable.

The more I think about those days, the more images that I didn’t capture in the moment come to my mind, and today I just want to focus on one person.

When I entered the official Real Madrid store, it became a tough decision for every fan to choose which name and number to have on their shirt, as it’s a common practice among merengue tourists visiting the Spanish capital.

It was there (when I saw the most important shirt numbers displayed like Vinicius, Kroos, Bellingham, Carvajal, Valverde, Rodrygo, etc.) that I thought, if I had to choose a name, it would undoubtedly be Luka Modric’s. Today, there’s no greater legend than him in the white squad.

Fortunately for me, I had already seen the Croatian play in a live match; it was in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar where he played in the semifinals against Argentina. That time, they lost, but the show was still spectacular.

Years go by and they seem not to affect him, and to confirm it, just a couple of hours after that anecdote in the Bernabéu store were enough. I have the moment marked and nailed in my mind. Alphonso Davies scored the goal, Ancelotti didn’t hesitate for a minute, and sent number 10 onto the field to save – once again – the tie.

With the amount of emotions running high, I decided to forget about the ball and follow the merengue midfielder for a while. I’d say it was luck, but the reality is that it’s normal.

Now, a picture of Luka taking a corner kick that ended in a counterattack in favor of Bayern is going viral, and the 38-year-old player was the one to run the field and retrieve the ball when the 2-0 was about to seal the series.

Minutes later, in a play that hasn’t been given enough value, Luka once again covered the midfield to prevent a play by Manuel Neuer, flicked the ball, and that recovery would lead to the first goal by Joselu in the next 10 seconds. The one that changed the history of the match.

Once again, he was the silent hero, because the goals were scored by Joselu and the show was put on by Vinicius, but the weight and the ability to change the course of the game, once again belonged to the Croatian.

His contract is coming to an end, and his future is a complete mystery. For the past three years (at least), his continuity has been questioned at the end of each season, and it seems that – this time – age will play against him, but the opposite happens. He remains physically impeccable, and football-wise, he continues to contribute in every aspect. Moreover, in terms of intelligence, he surpasses himself every season. When will the end be?

Modric is in his sixth Champions League final and seems more than likely to win absolutely all of those he has contested. 90 minutes separate him from boasting six Champions League titles in his career. Of course, this would make him the greatest winner in history.

Who could have imagined that this humble Croatian boy, who grew up amidst turbulent times during the Balkan War, and who had to overcome immense situations to survive, would years later become one of the most complete midfielders in history.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that he has it all and does everything well. He recovers, dribbles, attacks, defends, assists, scores. In each of his responsibilities, he stands out above the rest.

As if that weren’t enough, off the field, he carries the same number. He’s a type of 10; professional, focused, committed, and willing to help noble causes. There’s nothing to reproach him for.

In an era dominated by media stars and million-dollar figures, Luka Modric embodies the traditional values of football: hard work, innate talent, and a passion for the game. His career is a reminder that, in a sport where success can be fleeting, true greatness endures over time. As he continues to make his mark on the world of football, Luka Modric will be admired not only for his exceptional skills but also for his unwavering humility and determination.

I don’t want the excitement to cloud my judgment, leading me to say something that requires further analysis and study. But, is it possible to name him the greatest of all time? Zidane, Xavi, Pirlo, Iniesta, Scholes, Platini, Cruyff, among others… would probably want to claim their place.

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