Luka Modrić

[Maradona37]

Here's some highlights of Modric that night (though people know I am generally against individual highlights videos, they're fine for players who we know are genuinely world-class and they highlights are not being misleading).

Croatia won 3-2 that night (October/November 2007) and I remember it because I watched it live. If I recall Beckham gave the ball away for the winning goal. That evening is what stopped England qualifying for Euro 2008.

Modric absolutely ran the game.

 

[Devils]

Kroos and Modric both gone now lol.

Impossible to replace.

Good news for us.

 

[Temptation]

Kroos and Modric both gone now lol.

Impossible to replace.

Good news for us.

They should sign Nicolo Rovella or Angelo Stiller.

Although I wouldn't want that coz Liverpool are strongly linked to both.

 

[MagIX]

An incredible and legendary player.
Upon his arrival (and even more so after Kroos joined) RM started winning: 6 CL, 4 La Liga ... a total of 28 trophies!
And not only at club level: we're talking about a player who was capable of leading nation like Croatia to a WC final, where he was named the best player! And four years later, to a semifinal, where he was voted the third-best player after Messi and Mbappé!

 

[Temptation]

An incredible and legendary player.
Upon his arrival (and even more so after Kroos joined) RM started winning: 6 CL, 4 La Liga ... a total of 28 trophies!
And not only at club level: we're talking about a player who was capable of leading nation like Croatia to a WC final, where he was named the best player! And four years later, to a semifinal, where he was voted the third-best player after Messi and Mbappé!

Greatest Balkan player ever, surely?

 

[MonteCuler]

GOAT Balkan footballer for sure

On talent alone maybe not but talent+achievements combined nobody comes close

 

[Maradona37]

Greatest Balkan player ever, surely?

Modric or Dragan Stojkovic.

 

[Windhook]

One of football's greatest midfielders and IMO the greatest Croatian footballer.

Considering World Cup 2026 being close, I don't expect Modric to retire, yet.

 

[Maradona37]

One of football's greatest midfielders and IMO the greatest Croatian footballer.

Considering World Cup 2026 being close, I don't expect Modric to retire, yet.

I think greatest Croatian footballer is pretty uncontroversial at this point, despite the excellence of guys like Suker and Prosinecki.

The question as raised above is is he the best Balkan player (on talent and body of work combined)? I think as I said above that maybe only Stojkovic can rival him there.

 

[Windhook]

GOAT Balkan footballer for sure

On talent alone maybe not but talent+achievements combined nobody comes close

For me it's one among Gheorghe Hagi, Hristo Stoichkov or Dejan Savicevic.

What Luka Modric did Krasimir Balakov was doing in the 90s and considered second fiddle.

 

[Temptation]

Such a beautiful player to watch. His close control, touch and ball manipulation is wonderful to watch.

Also a tough hardworking guy with great engine unlike certain luxury/system players. Modric could boss any league in any team in any system. He's so versatile.

 

[RedxMAK]

What a midfielder.
Only player I like in Real Madrid.
Legend.

 

[MonteCuler]

6 CL and 2 world cup medals with Croatia is not normal, along with many league titles and other cups in the bag as well

And of course, a ballon d'or that ended 10 years of 2 men dominance

There were better players from Balkans but none who used it to achieve miracles of this level

 

[Maradona37]

For me it's one among Gheorghe Hagi, Hristo Stoichkov or Dejan Savicevic.

What Luka Modric did Krasimir Balakov was doing in the 90s and considered second fiddle.

This is a stupid question, but are Romania and Bulgaria Balkan? I thought Balkan was mostly the former Yugoslavia?

If Romania and Bulgaria count then those two are in contention too. I also forgot Savicevic, good shout.

 

[TheStig]

Thanks for the asist to Kounde!