Stars of UEFA EURO 2016: Luka Modrić
Friday, March 11, 2016
Article summary
Croatia have a world-class midfield, but there is no doubt who their star man is, Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modrić not being nicknamed the 'Croatian Cruyff' for no reason.
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At a glance
Having scored his first Croatia goal in a friendly against Italy in August 2006, Luka Modrić has been an established presence in the national team for the best part of a decade, during which he has gone from Dinamo Zagreb to Tottenham, and then on to Real Madrid for a reported fee of €30m – a record for a Croatian player. Ante Čačić's midfield would be unimaginable without Modrić, with whom everything begins and ends.
EURO pedigree
Some great performances at UEFA EURO 2008 earned Modrić – then 22 – a place in the official Team of the Tournament, and he was a key man for Croatia at UEFA EURO 2012, sparkling particularly brightly in the 1-0 loss to eventual winners Spain which cost his side a place in the knockout phase.
What he offers
Importance for Croatia
Tireless on the pitch, out wide or in midfield, he is as busy in defence as in attack. His technique and ball control have led the 30-year-old to be nicknamed the 'Croatian Cruyff' in honour of the Dutch great of ages past. Croatia have a world-class midfield with Ivan Rakitić, Mateo Kovačić and Ivan Perišić, but the playmaker is the undisputed star.
International career
Debut: Croatia 3-2 Argentina (1 March 2006, friendly)
Appearances: 87
Goals: 10
EURO final tournament (Croatia record)
Appearances: 6 (Darijo Srna, 8)
Goals: 1 (Mario Mandžukić and Davor Šuker, 3)
Record: W3 D2* L1
*Includes penalty shoot-out defeat by Turkey in UEFA EURO 2008 quarter-finals
