Modric's Magic

(The following article was published in the Marathi magazine 'LokSabha' on December 21, 2018.)

Croatia’s run in the World Cup was no less thrilling than a miraculous tale. When they reached the final, the whole world was stunned. Even though France won the World Cup, football fans appreciated Croatia’s efforts. The heart of that team was their 33-year-old captain, Luka Modric.

Perhaps the whole of Croatia was in tears that night, but there wouldn’t have been anyone melancholier and more dejected than Luka. And that is why when during the presentation ceremony he was called to collect the Golden Ball as the best player at the world cup, which he undoubtedly deserved, he could just faintly smile.

Such is this magician of Croatia and Real Madrid, Luka Modric who finally ended Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s dominance by winning the Ballon d’or. The question is, ‘Does this Award make him the World’s Best? Perhaps not. But there is something in Modric that makes him very different than others, and gives him a place in the list of such exceptional players, in which someone rarely gets included. This distinct quality is his attitude, simplicity, modesty and most importantly, his humility.

One of the very prominent elements in football is the rivalry between clubs, players and the supporters, and can never be separated from the game. This surely adds a special essence to the game making it even special and more entertaining. Appreciating the achievements and success of other rival teams or that of players associated with them is not in the blood of football fans, and at a level is rightly unacceptable and inappropriate. Even after establishing their dominance over the footballing world, purely based on quality, ruling it for more than 10 years now, there is no lack of hatred and abundant contempt and disrespect for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. It is often said that fans of Real Madrid and Barcelona are born with extreme hatred towards one another. And perhaps there is no exaggeration in this statement. But occurrence of this with Luka Modric is impossible, despite him being a player of Real Madrid!

But how does Luka stay so down to earth even after getting so much fame? The reason to this is since Luka’s childhood was very tragic and full of catastrophes. He had to witnessed the dark side of humanity very early in his life. Even thinking of the impressions, a war can leave on the life of a 5-year-old, gives goose bumps. ‘The Croatian War of Independence’ started in the year 1991. In those years, thousands of bombs fell on the city, and in order to save his life, young Luka was forced to flee the house. But football didn’t let the fear of the bombs and brutal inhumanity make home in little Luka’s heart. He wasn’t overwhelmed by the war, and one of the main reasons for that was his love for football. His passion for football used to take him far away from the harsh reality he was a part of. The journey from being a refugee to being ‘The Best Player of the Year’ is no less than a work of fiction.

Considering Luka Modric’s body structure, the work he puts in, is ridiculously incredible. But satisfying the infinite expectations of the fans with immense consistency, is equally impossible. And that is exactly why even after gaining a respectable name for himself in the Premier League, he failed to impress after his hyped deal to Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012-13, and eventually named the ‘Worst Transfer of the Season’. Look how the pages have turned.

‘World Cup Golden Ball’ in July, ‘FIFA Men’s Best Player Award’ in September, and ‘2018 Ballon d’Or’ on Tuesday (Monday 3rd December 2018 GMT). There would be no surprises if the year of 2018 gets declared as the year of Luka Modric. The dream of winning a World Cup perhaps might bug him for his entire life, but the leadership quality that he showed will last in the history books of the World Cup forever.

Tattoos, hairstyles, brand advertisement, goal-celebrations, social media, the rich lifestyle, has made football very exciting and sensational, and has been providing the all the fame, money and glamour that most of the players seek for. Indeed, football lovers enjoy this side of football too, but they take special care of players like Luka, who engage in a very quiet and modest lifestyles, and always keep them close their hearts, loving and respecting them. Football is a beautiful game, and players like Luka enhance its beauty. Luka Modric, undoubtedly, one of the very best of this generation.

Critical Analysis

This year's Ballon d'Or was full of controversies, even though the results weren't completely out of the blue. Many would argue that Cristiano Ronaldo deserved to go home with his 6th, which would have definitely proved his dominance over the World football. On the basis of which Luka Modric was crowned the winner, Antoine Griezmann was at direct competition and well could have also won it. Lionel Messi finishing 5th would be one of the most heated counter arguments a Barcelona fan could produce and his views wouldn't be wrong too. But any lower rank than the players who finished above Messi actually got, would have been equally unfair as the fifth placed Messi. Individual awards like Ballon d'Or have always been controversial and will always be. Now it is said that from being 'One of the most underrated players in the world', Modric in no time became 'One of the most Overrated players in the world'. Statements like these are shallow and trifling to naive minds which actually put shadow upon the performances and efforts of the players, in this case, Luka Modric. It would be juvenile if Modric efforts and performances are considered any less than what they are, that is, well deserving of the Ballon d'Or.

Note: Above presented are my additional thoughts and NOT a translation of the Article. All the content is a replica of my understanding and my perceptions of the game.