Modrić Still Playing at 40: Croatia's Legendary Midfielder

Modrić Still Playing at 40: Croatia's Legendary Midfielder

On June 24, 2024, at Leipzig's Red Bull Arena, Euro 2024 group stage, Croatia vs Italy. In the 95th minute (stoppage time), Croatia led 1-0 and was on the verge of advancing. Then Italy got a free kick; Zaccagni unleashed a strike and made it 1-1; Croatia were eliminated. After the final whistle, the 38-year-old Luka Modrić stood on the pitch with tears in his eyes — he knew this might be his last Euro. But the world of football paid tribute to a legend still fighting at 38 on the international stage. Modrić — from the shadow of the Bosnian War, from refugee boyhood to FIFA Best Player, leading Croatia to bronze at the 2022 World Cup at 37 — his story is one of the most inspiring in modern football. How does a 1.72 m Croatian keep playing at world-class level at 38?

A Childhood in War's Shadow

Luka Modrić, born September 9, 1985 in the former Yugoslavia (today's Croatia), Zadar region, a small village called Obrovac.

At 6 (1991), the Croatian War of Independence broke out and reached his home. His grandfather was killed by Serbian forces. The family home was destroyed.

Little Modrić and his family became refugees and lived in a Zadar hotel converted as a temporary shelter for seven years. The parking lot of that hotel became his earliest "pitch."

He and other refugee kids played on broken tires, cracked asphalt, with worn-out balls. The hard childhood forged his resilience.

Football Starts: A Small-Frame Prodigy

The refugee life let Modrić focus on football. "Football was my only way to forget the war," he later recalled.

At 10 he joined a Zadar youth club. His small frame (10–15 cm shorter than peers) made many coaches doubt him. One told him: "You're too small; you'll never play pro."

Modrić didn't quit. Extra training daily — ball control, agility, vision compensated for the physical disadvantage. His coach said: "His footwork is more refined than any peer. He knew he couldn't rely on the body; he played with his head."

At 15 he joined Dinamo Zagreb's academy. He moved through U17, U19, into the first team.

2008: Move to Tottenham

In July 2008, at 22, he moved to Spurs (EPL) for ~€18 million.

British fans and media initially doubted whether he could handle the physical EPL. Pundits said, "This skinny Croatian can't play in the EPL."

He answered with passing, dribbling, and vision. At Spurs (2008–2012):

• Across competitions: 163 apps, 13 goals, 30 assists
• Became midfield core

In 2011 Spurs reached the UCL quarterfinal; Modrić delivered career-defining displays.

2012: Real Madrid

In August 2012, Modrić joined Real Madrid for ~€30 million.

The most consequential transfer of his career — over a decade at Madrid, almost every trophy possible.

Madrid record (2012–now):

• La Liga titles: 3 (2016-17, 2019-20, 2021-22)
• Champions Leagues: 5 (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023 — among Madrid's most-decorated)
• Club World Cups: 5
• Copas del Rey: multiple

Modrić is among Real Madrid's most decorated Champions League players, part of the golden core with Ramos, Marcelo, Benzema.

2018: Breaking the Messi-Ronaldo Ballon d'Or Lock

2018 Ballon d'Or was one of the most dramatic moments in the past decade of football.

From 2008 to 2017, Messi or Ronaldo won every Ballon d'Or — a 10-year monopoly.

In 2018 Modrić ended it with two feats:

• Won the 2017-18 Champions League with Real
• Took Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final (runner-up)

On December 3, 2018, Modrić won the Ballon d'Or, ending the decade-long stranglehold.

His speech moved many: "I started as a refugee of war; today I stand here. Thank you to everyone who believed in me." The hall applauded a Croatian once doubted into oblivion.

2018 World Cup: Croatia's Legend

The 2018 Russia World Cup, Modrić was 33 and led Croatia to its best ever finish.

Croatia's path:

• Group: 3 wins, 9 points, first
• Round of 16: 1-1 Denmark (won 3-2 on pens) — Modrić missed his penalty but Croatia won
• Quarterfinal: 2-2 Russia (won 4-3 on pens)
• Semifinal: 2-1 England (extra time)
• Final: 2-4 France — runners-up

Modrić's tournament:

• 7 starts
• 2 goals (including penalties)
• 1 assist
• Averaged 12+ km per match — more than most 20-year-olds

He won the Golden Ball (tournament best player) — Croatia's first ever.

2022 World Cup: At 37 the Legend Continues

Qatar 2022 — at 37 he led again.

Croatia's path:

• Group: 1 win, 2 draws, 4 points — second
• R16: 1-1 Japan (3-1 pens)
• Quarter: 1-1 Brazil (4-2 pens) — stunned the world
• Semi: 0-3 Argentina (Messi knocked them out)
• Third place: 2-1 Morocco — bronze

At 37:

• Against Brazil: ran 11.5 km in 90 minutes, 5 key passes
• Against Argentina: even in defeat, world-stunning performance

He again showed age is not the absolute limit of pro careers — with scientific training and mental focus, 37 can still be world-class.

The Secret: How He Plays at 38

His career is exceptionally long — top-flight from 2008, still on the national team in 2024. The secret?

Secret 1: Scientific Body Management

From 20 onward strict regimen:

• No alcohol, no smoking
• 8–9 hours of sleep
• Pro nutritionist + physio team
• Regular fitness testing + personalized training

Knees, muscles, joints at 38 are like a 30-year-old's.

Secret 2: Mental Youth

Mentally younger than his years. Love for football undimmed; every game feels like the first.

He said: "Every morning I'm eager to get to training. That feeling hasn't changed from 6 to 38."

Secret 3: Positional Flexibility

Midfield, vs forwards or wingers, is less physically demanding. His on-pitch intelligence offsets lost pace through better decisions.

Never felled by long-term injuries — sustained continuity.

Secret 4: Family-Life Balance

Family (wife Vanja, three kids). He often says they are why he keeps playing. No star-syndrome lifestyle — school runs, family holidays, ordinary life.

That balance keeps him from being drained by celebrity, keeping his love of the game pure.

Modrić vs Other Top Midfielders

vs Xavi

Xavi (Spain/Barcelona), best midfielder 2008–2015. Styles:

• Xavi: pass-and-receive maestro; controls midfield tempo; ultra-precise short passing.
• Modrić: all-round midfielder — pass, long ball, dribble, score; more versatile.

Modrić has longer career and more positional flexibility.

vs Iniesta

Iniesta (Spain/Barcelona), 2010 World Cup hero. Styles:

• Iniesta: artistic dribbler-passer creating in tight spaces.
• Modrić: tactical controller and passer in open spaces.

vs Gerrard

Gerrard (England/Liverpool), strongest EPL midfielder 2000–2015. Styles:

• Gerrard: attacking mid — long-range shots + key passes.
• Modrić: organizing mid — vision + tempo control.

Modrić outlasts Gerrard in career length, trophies, and big-tournament achievements (WC silver + bronze).

Symbol of Croatian Football

Modrić isn't only Croatia's best — he is a national symbol.

Croatia became independent in 1991. By the 2018 World Cup runner-up, only 27 years. A nation of less than 4 million reaching this height; Modrić is the chief architect.

His story from refugee boy to FIFA Best inspires all of Croatia and people facing hardship worldwide.

What's Next

After Euro 2024 elimination he hinted this might be his last major.

Not yet retired. He'll continue at Real in 2024-25 as a rotation midfielder.

Possible path:

• Stay at Real through 2025
• A 1–2 year stint in MLS or the Middle East
• Formal retirement around 2026 or 2027
• Then perhaps coaching — Croatia national team or Real youth

Conclusion: Memory of an Era

Modrić — from Bosnian War refugee to FIFA Best — is among 21st-century football's most inspiring legends.

He proves:

• Size is not destiny: 1.72 m conquered the world
• Age is not a career limit: 38 on the international stage
• War and poverty cannot stop real love: from refugee parking lot to football's biggest stage

When he retires, the football world will applaud not only for his trophies and goals but for his resilience and pure love.

He taught every young player: if you love it enough, are professional enough, and persistent enough, age, body, and origin don't stop you.

In Croatia every 6-year-old dreams of being the next Modrić. That inspiration is worth more than any trophy.

This is Modrić — a legend still running on top stages at 38, Croatia's most resilient gift to world football.