Luka Modrić’s 4️⃣ standout moments at Real Madrid ✨

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OneFootball

·23 mai 2025

Luka Modrić’s 4️⃣ standout moments at Real Madrid ✨

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

It's official as of this Thursday: Luka Modrić will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season!

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From his signing to his Ballon d'Or, and through his many trophies, let's look back at the four key dates of the adventure between Madrid and the Croatian.

2012: Arrival at Real Madrid

After his first season at Real Madrid in 2012, Luka Modrić was voted the worst transfer in Spain by readers of the newspaper Marca.

The midfielder took some time to find his feet in his new kit, which raised some eyebrows. Jose Mourinho, however, defended him: "All I ask of Madridistas is to give Luka Modric time and be patient. He is so good that the Santiago Bernabeu will fall in love with his class."

Visionary.

2013: Real Madrid vs Manchester United

Real faced the Red Devils in the Champions League Round of 16. It was a two-legged tie that the Merengue didn't necessarily have under control, especially after the 1-1 draw in the first leg. The advantage was therefore with MU, thanks to the away goals rule, which would eliminate Real.

Especially since Sergio Ramos opened the scoring for Manchester with an own goal! Luka Modrić then put on the savior's cape and equalized in the 66th minute, allowing the Merengue to get back on track.

Final score: 2-1 for Real, and the Croatian was starting to grow in stature, little by little...

📸 PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU - 2013 AFP

2014: Champions League Final

At the end of the 2013-14 season, Luka Modrić played the first Champions League final of his career. While Real had been trailing 1-0 to Atlético de Madrid since the 36th minute, there was one last chance in the 93rd minute.

The Croatian, from a corner, found Sergio Ramos with a header and became the (ultra) decisive assist provider for this final, which ended 4-1 in extra time for the Merengue.

Luka Modrić won the first Champions League of his career.

2018: The Ballon d'Or

In 2018, the crowning moment for Luka Modrić. World Cup finalist with Croatia, Champions League and Club World Cup winner with Madrid, the Croatian claimed the most prestigious trophies.

Voted best player of the World Cup as well as the Champions League, Luka Modrić won the 2018 Ballon d'Or, in the midst of a fierce rivalry: Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi.