Is it really him? Are you sure it’s really Modric?
This problem already existed four years ago at the World Cup in Russia, when Luka Modric led a group of team mates to the final. Fans were shocked by a vague documentary video. In it, a blond-haired boy, wearing an obviously too big old jacket, was waving a branch to drive a flock of sheep across the jagged rocks…
That little boy is now Croatian captain Modric! In the early morning of December 18, Beijing time, while the Croatian team was completing its last “performance” in the third and fourth finals of the World Cup in Qatar, Modric, raised from shepherd boy to meritorious captain of the “Lattice Legion”, also he quit his World Cup journey. It is “The Final Chapter”.
From shepherd boy to world footballer, to the most competent “conductor” in “Croatian Rhapsody”, from Germany to Qatar for four World Cups, Modric, who fought until the last moment, should have been able to retire.
In stories that fans have talked about countless times, hard times, homelessness, and a father who was sadly shot… almost filled Modric’s entire childhood. If there’s still a trace of happiness left in it, it should be football. Right now, the stage that belongs to Modric is still the open space around the refugee camp, and “teammates” are those friends who are also in the refugee camp.
The year after Modric appeared in the documentary, he joined a local youth soccer team in Zadar. As a result, the world of football opened its doors to this 7-year-old boy.
At the age of 17, he was scouted by famed youth coach Tomislav Basic and joined the youth setup of Croatian giant Dinamo Zagreb; at the age of 18, he joined the Bosnia and Herzegovina League team on loan, scored 8 goals in 22 games, and won the championship MVP… The shepherd boy’s ‘split’ has officially kicked off .
In March 2006, Modric, in his early twenties, ushered in his international debut; just three months later, he was brought to the World Cup in Germany by coach Zlatko Kranjica. At the time, he was the youngest player in the team.
Two substitutes, two draws. The mediocrity of Modric’s first trip to the World Cup was quickly overshadowed by news of his move to Tottenham. The five major leagues soon found that this young novice not only has excellent overview and vision, but also has an unmistakable ability to shoot from long distances and score goals.
After moving to Real Madrid, among the club’s three consecutive Champions League titles, “three ceremonial midfielders” and other honors, Modric is the main member. In 2018, the sheep herder finally ushered in the brightest moment of his career: three consecutive Champions League titles, broke the 10-year monopoly of Messi and Ronaldo, was elected world footballer, and won the Golden Globe.
Faced with the swarm of media, Modric recalled his childhood experience more than once. According to him, those hardships inspired him and created his current personality and willpower. In contrast to the Croatian team’s performance, reversals are the order of the day, isn’t this the character projection of captain Modric?
After seeing the Croatian team’s performance in Qatar this time around, old fans may have some complaints: “Compared to 4 years ago, the dominance is still significantly reduced.” “From knife to butcher”. The same goes for the 37-year-old Modric … but his diligence, discretion, tenacity and calm should still be mentioned by fans many years later.
World Cup Archives
Luca Modric
Appearances/departures: 19 matches/17 games
Average time per game: 85 minutes
Goals: 2 goals
Best result: runner-up
The photos of upstream reporter Qiu Jinyi are all according to the Xinhua News Agency
Publisher: Chen Lu
Responsible editor: Wu Jinming Kong Linqiang
Reviewer: Feng FeiCome back to Sohu to see more
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