Luka Modrić

Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in football history and Croatia's all-time most capped player, Modrić won the 2018 Ballon d'Or and led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and third place in 2022.

Modrić grew up in Croatia during the war years before developing into a creative midfielder at Dinamo Zagreb. His 2008 move to Tottenham Hotspur introduced him to Premier League audiences, but it was his 2012 transfer to Real Madrid that transformed him into a world-class player. Over 13 seasons at the Bernabéu he won 6 Champions Leagues, 4 La Liga titles, and 28 trophies in total — ending the Messi–Ronaldo Ballon d'Or monopoly by claiming the award in 2018. He joined AC Milan on a free transfer in 2025.

For Croatia, he has been the driving force behind the country's two best World Cup campaigns: runner-up in 2018 and third in 2022. With 198 caps and 29 goals, he is Croatia's all-time leading appearance maker.