Today, Luka Modric is celebrating six years with Real Madrid. He was signed by Jose Mourinho ahead of the 2012-13 season from Tottenham Hotspur for £30 million and is now seen as a legendary figure at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Here is the story of his time at the club.
The Croatian enjoyed an excellent spell in the Premier League at White Hart Lane and joined Los Blancos with a glowing reputation.
However, he endured a difficult start to life in the Spanish capital – the form of Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira, and Mesut Ozil meant that he was restricted to substitute appearances for much of his first La Liga campaign.
He made his debut as a substitute in the second leg of the 2012 Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona two days after he signed, which Real won on away goals as the two sides drew 4-4 – he scored his first goal against Real Zaragoza in a 4-0 win the following November.
He struggled for fitness in the early months of the season, after he lacked pre-season training because of Real and Spurs’ failure to reach an agreement quickly.
He rose to prominence when he scored a stunning 25-yard strike against Manchester United in the 2012-13 edition of the UEFA Champions League at Old Trafford, as Mourinho’s side came from behind to advance to the quarter-finals stage 3-2 on aggregate.
Ahead of the 2013-14 season, with Carlo Ancelotti appointed as the club’s manager, he became one of the team’s most important players – he was partnered with Alonso and made the most ball recoveries in the squad during the campaign while averaging a pass completion rate of 90 percent in La Liga.
In the Champions League Final, against Atletico Madrid, he assisted Sergio Ramos’ injury-time equalizer before Gareth Bale, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo secured a 4-1 extra-time win to achieve Real’s tenth European crown.
He endured a difficult 2014-15 season because of a series of injuries – in November 2014, he tore a tendon in his thigh on international duty with Croatia, keeping him out for three months. The following April, during a 3-1 win against Malaga, he strained ligaments in his right knee. Still, he was named in the FIFA World XI.
After Ancelotti was replaced by Rafa Benitez, he continued to play a key role. The Spaniard was sacked after a short stay at the Bernabéu, which saw Zinedine Zidane return to the club as manager.
Throwback to when Luka Modric was voted the worst La Liga signing of 2012 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/ex4N4hLFux
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 27, 2018
He was an important figure as Real, once again, beat Atletico in the Champions League final – for the second year in a row he was named in FIFA’s World XI.
He kept his place in the team as Zidane’s side completed a La Liga and Champions League double in the 2016-17 season – he came fourth in the running for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award and was fifth-placed in the Ballon d’Or standings.
After James Rodriguez departed for Bayern Munich, he was named as Real’s number 10 for the 2017-18 campaign and he won the Golden Ball in December 2017 for his performances as Zidane’s side won the FIFA Club World Cup, and was named in the Champions League Team of the Tournament for the third time in a row after Los Blancos sealed a trio of European crowns with a victory against Liverpool.
He came into this season, under Julen Lopetegui, on the back of winning the World Cup’s Golden Ball trophy after he inspired Croatia to an unexpected place in the final against France, which they lost 4-2.
The 32-year-old may find getting regular minutes this season much harder – Toni Kroos and Casemiro have started the season well, and Lopetegui is giving regular playing time to Isco and Marco Asensio.
He has been linked with a move to Inter Milan but looks set to stay and fight for his place, determined to grow his incredible trophy haul, which includes a La Liga, Copa del Rey, and four Champions Leagues.