قصة | مودريتش من لاجئ حرب إلى أمير كرواتي
The Story of Luka Modrić: From Poverty to Stardom
Early Life and Family Background
- Introduction by Aziz Youssef, promising an engaging story about Luka Modrić.
- Modrić's father worked as a mechanic for the Croatian army, while his mother was a seamstress, leading to a childhood spent with his grandfather due to parents' work commitments.
- At age 15, Modrić faced a traumatic event when Serbian soldiers shot his grandfather in front of him during the war in 1990, deeply affecting his mental state.
Impact of War on Childhood
- The Croatian War of Independence forced Modrić's family to move frequently; they eventually settled in a hotel in Zadar where he began playing football on the streets.
- Despite being physically weak and malnourished due to war conditions, Modrić's talent for football shone through as friends fought over selecting him for their teams.
Pursuing Football Dreams
- He attempted to join Hajduk Split but was rejected due to his frail physique. Undeterred, he tried again at Zadar and impressed the youth coach with his unique skills.
- In 1996, he signed a ten-year contract with Dinamo Zagreb after being scouted; however, concerns about his physical abilities persisted.
Overcoming Challenges
- To improve his physical condition, Dinamo Zagreb provided growth hormone treatments while Modrić feared losing his contract if he didn't succeed.
- He was loaned to Zrinjski Mostar in Bosnia where he won the league title and earned recognition as the best player despite facing tough competition.
Rising Through the Ranks
- After returning from loan spells and not being a starter initially at Dinamo Zagreb, he secured second place in the Croatian league with Inter Zaprešić and won accolades like Best Young Player.
- By 2004–2005 season, he signed his first professional contract with Dinamo Zagreb which improved his financial situation significantly.
International Recognition
- Participated in two World Cup matches in 2006; despite Croatia’s early exit from Euro 2008 after missing penalties against Turkey, Modrić emerged as one of the tournament's standout players.
Transitioning Clubs
- Following impressive performances at Euro 2008 alongside stars like Xavi and Casillas, clubs began showing interest; Luka sought new challenges outside Croatia after dominating local competitions.
Seeking Bigger Opportunities
- With offers from various clubs including Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on the table post-Dinamo Zagreb’s successful season, Luka aimed for top-tier teams like Real Madrid or Barcelona instead.
Finalizing Transfers
- After meeting scouts from Barcelona who were interested but ultimately passed due to concerns over Luka’s age and potential long-term impact.
- Tottenham Hotspur pursued him aggressively after realizing other clubs were interested; negotiations culminated late into the night leading up to an agreement for transfer.
Luka Modrić's Journey: From Tottenham to Real Madrid
Early Days at Tottenham
- Luka Modrić joined Tottenham Hotspur for a record fee of €16.5 million, marking the highest transfer in the club's history at that time. He was presented to fans wearing the number 14 jersey.
- Initial criticism from English media focused on Modrić's physicality and suitability for the Premier League, compounded by poor tactical deployment by coach Juande Ramos.
- After Ramos' departure and Harry Redknapp's arrival, Modrić began to shine, with Redknapp stating he would build the team's play around him due to his midfield management skills.
Transition Period and Chelsea Interest
- Despite enjoying success at Tottenham, Modrić sought a new challenge and titles he couldn't achieve with Spurs. In 2011, he received an offer from Chelsea which was rejected by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.
- Levy promised to consider offers from outside England but later avoided discussions about Modrić’s potential transfer when Real Madrid showed interest in 2012.
The Transfer Saga
- Frustrated with Levy's indecision, Modrić refused to travel with the team for pre-season preparations and formally requested a transfer while urging the chairman to listen to incoming offers.
- José Mourinho intervened personally in negotiations as tensions rose; despite setbacks, they eventually secured a deal that fulfilled Modrić’s dream of joining Real Madrid.
Arrival at Real Madrid
- Upon signing with Real Madrid, some fans doubted whether he met their expectations as they were looking for star players. Mourinho confidently defended him during press conferences.
- Modrić made his official debut in a Super Cup match where he won his first title with Los Blancos shortly after joining.
Struggles and Breakthrough Moments
- Initially criticized as one of the worst signings of 2012 according to Marca newspaper polls, Modrić responded by promising fans he'd adapt and give his all for the club.
- A pivotal moment came during a Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United where he scored an equalizer that solidified his place within the team.
Rise to Prominence
- Despite facing challenges under coach Rafa Benítez regarding playing style preferences (e.g., using specific types of shots), issues led to Benítez’s dismissal.
- By 2018, Modrić reached peak performance levels; this year marked significant achievements including winning UEFA Best Player award and leading Croatia in World Cup finals.
Legal Troubles Before World Cup
- Just before the 2018 World Cup in Russia, legal troubles arose concerning allegations of providing false information during investigations related to corruption involving Dinamo Zagreb’s former president.
World Cup Performance
- Despite personal turmoil, Modrić excelled throughout the tournament; notably missing a penalty against Denmark but ultimately leading Croatia through crucial matches towards their historic final appearance against France.
Emotional Final Against France
- The final brought mixed emotions for Modrić as Croatia fell short against France; visibly upset post-match yet proud of reaching such heights with his national team.
Recognition Amidst Adversity
- Following their runner-up finish at World Cup 2018, all charges against him were dropped later that year. He also won prestigious awards including Ballon d'Or breaking Messi's dominance.