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Image source: StarsUnfolded

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Luka Modric Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 5, 2026 • 4 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth9 September 1985

Age32 (as in 2017)

BirthplaceZadar, SFR Yugoslavia

ProfessionProfessional Footballer

NationalityCroatian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseVanja Bosnić

FamilyChildren: Ema Modrić, Sofia Modrić, Ivano Modrić

Luka Modric Biography

Luka Modrić is a Croatian professional footballer known for his playmaking midfield role with Real Madrid and the Croatia national team. Born in Zadar in 9

Early life and background
Luka Modrić was born on 9 September 1985 in Zadar, then part of SFR Yugoslavia. He grew up in the hamlet of Modrići near Zadar. His family endured hardships during the Bosnian War and experienced violent episodes in their hometown; family members suffered loss and property damage in that period. Modrić’s parents are Stipe Modrić and Radojka Modrić. He has two sisters, Jasmina and Diora.

Modrić developed an interest in sport early, playing basketball as a child and serving as a school handball goalkeeper. He trained with NK Zadar’s youth setup and was selected for Croatian youth representative teams at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels. Despite a smaller stature in his youth, academy staff recognized his talent and arranged his move to Dinamo Zagreb in 2005.

Career
Modrić’s senior club career began in Croatia where he won multiple domestic trophies with Dinamo Zagreb, including consecutive Croatian First League titles and Croatian Cups in the mid-2000s. He signed a long-term contract with Dinamo Zagreb during the 2005–06 season.

In April 2008 Modrić moved to the English Premier League, joining Tottenham Hotspur. He scored his first goal for Spurs in December 2008 in a 2–2 draw with Spartak Moscow. His performances in England helped establish him as a leading midfielder, and he was named Tottenham Hotspur’s Player of the Year for the 2010–11 season.

On 27 August 2012 Modrić signed with Real Madrid. He made his debut for the club two days later in the Supercopa de España second-leg encounter with Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. With Real Madrid he collected major honours including La Liga and multiple UEFA Champions League titles across the 2010s.

International career
Modrić earned his first international appearance for Croatia on 1 March 2006 against Argentina. He represented his country at major tournaments including Euro 2008, Euro 2012, the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He wore the number 10 shirt for Croatia and became a central figure in the national team.

At Euro 2008 Modrić opened Croatia’s scoring in their group match with Austria. He scored his first international goal in a friendly against Italy on 16 August 2006. He also appeared as a substitute in two matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Modrić captained Croatia during their run to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final. In the group stage of that tournament he scored a long-range goal against Argentina in a 3–0 victory. Croatia reached the final where they finished runners-up to France, and Modrić was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

Playing style and recognition
Primarily a midfielder, Modrić is widely recognized for his vision and playmaking. Throughout his career he has received numerous individual honours: domestic player of the year awards in Bosnia and Croatia early in his career; Tottenham Hotspur’s Player of the Year in 2010–11; La Liga’s Best Midfielder in two seasons; and other distinctions such as ESPN Midfielder of the Year and the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball.

Public profile
Modrić is known by nicknames that reflect his reputation on the pitch. He has expressed admiration for figures such as Carlo Ancelotti and lists Ronaldo among his favourite footballers. Off the field he enjoys watching football and basketball. He has been linked with high-profile transfers during his career and has driven a number of premium cars.

Personal life
Modrić married Vanja Bosnić on 12 May 2010. The couple have three children: daughters Ema and Sofia and a son, Ivano. He was raised in a Christian household and has described a cross and chain he received from his parents as a cherished possession.

Latest updates
In 2018 Modrić added further Champions League honours with Real Madrid and played a central role for Croatia at the 2018 World Cup, finishing as the tournament’s top-rated player with the Golden Ball. That year he also faced legal proceedings related to testimony in a separate tax fraud trial.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Luka Modric, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded
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Recent Work

2018 FIFA World Cup

Key player for Croatia, scored against Argentina and won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

2018
Real Madrid Champions League victories

Part of Real Madrid squads that won multiple UEFA Champions League titles in the 2010s, including back-to-back successes.

2016-2018
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Career Highlights

  1. Multiple Croatian First League and Croatian Cup titles with Dinamo Zagreb
  2. Premier League breakthrough with Tottenham Hotspur and club Player of the Year (2010–11)
  3. Signed for Real Madrid in 2012 and won La Liga and several UEFA Champions League titles
  4. Captained Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and won the tournament Golden Ball
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Luka Modric born?

Luka Modric was born on 9 September 1985.

What is Luka Modric known for?

Luka Modric is known for professional Footballer.

What is Luka Modric’s marital status?

Luka Modric's marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Luka Modric married to?

Luka Modric is publicly listed as married to Vanja Bosnić.