Luka Modrić's book "My Game"

Best parts

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Sir Alex Ferguson: "Talking about Luka Modrić means talking about a midfielder with extraordinary talent. For me he ranks at the level of Xavi, Iniesta and Scholes, the strongest performers of that role in the last twenty years [...] Talent always wins on muscles."

Zvonimir Boban: "He has not the touch of Iniesta, isn't a great game builder like Pirlo or Xavi but it is all these things together, in his own way. One of his biggest quality? Modrić makes his teammates better players than they are, in defense as in attack."

"After the WC final while I was waiting on the field for the speaker to call me on the podium for the Golden Ball, I tried not to look at the other trophy. I didn't succeded. I felt a strong sadness and for a second I imagined that they would call me and give me that trophy.."

"Mbappe was on the podium with me. 'Congratulations, I am very happy for you' he said. He is a humble man, an extraordinary player and a fabulous striker. At just 19 he's able to change the fate of a game at high levels on his own. If he continues like this, he can do miracles"

"When I was a little kid I used to take the animals to pasture on the slopes near home with my dad and grandfather, and I loved it. I was a mischievous boy: one of my favorite games was to take goats by the tail and laugh at their reactions.()
That rural world was my habitat."

That day when Luka almost died because of beans...
He was a terrible kid

"Since when I was 1 year old what made me different from other children, as my parents say, was the passion for a particular game: football. Nothing attracted my attention like a ball"

"My grandfather was one of the most important figures in my life, I grow up with him. One day he didn't come back home.. He was killed by a barrage of shots from soldiers when the war was already started. I was sad and scared. [...] My dad fought in the war.."

"We left our home, we were no longer safe. They settled us in a refugee camp for 4 months and then we moved to a hotel in Zadar. We all lived in one room. Bombings were frequent and grenades exploded everywhere but I felt comfortable with my family.."

"My whole family was fan of Hajduk Split. My father organized my audition with their coaches. I was training very well but nevertheless their manager told me that I was not ready and I was too small physically. It was the first big disappointment of my football journey."

"I carried the problem of short stature with me since I started playing. After every game, when someone complimented me on my talent, he always added a "but": "He is a miracle, but he's still too small!".
Perhaps all those doubts fortified my character.."

Modrić: "When I was young my idol was Ronaldo Nazàrio. My father gave me shin guards with a pic of him on them! They were my treasure."

"After eleven years of training in the academy, I switched to the first team of Dinamo Zagreb. Dinamo's football school is the best in Croatia, and I think it is one of the best in this part of Europe. The champions of my generation come from there."

"I played on loan at Zrinjski Mostar for a season and I chose the number 23. It reminded me of two athletes I admired: Michael Jordan and David Beckham (Beckham's number at Real Madrid was 23)"

Modrić on his wife Vanja:
"I was quite in love when I suggested that we would go out. She accepted. It was December 1, 2004 & it was our day. That evening, we kissed for the first time in her apartment. Two months later I told her: “Vanja, you will be my wife!.”

"My first game with Croatia was vs Argentina in 2006. I remember my ankle joint was inflamed. In order to not feel pain I made a hole in the shoe, so that it didn't press against the sore spot. I covered the injured area with the adhesive tape and then I made my national debut."

Modrić: "During 2006 World Cup we played against Brazil and I really wanted Ronaldo's shirt. But one of my teammates asked me to let him that shirt..but I had that of Kakà!"

Slaven Bilić (Croatia ex-coach) when Luka was only 19:
"Listen, Luka, Iniesta is an amazing player. But you're no less. I am convinced that you will reach the same level. I want you to be Croatia captain from now on (under 21)"

"Chelsea wanted me in 2008, the deal was almost done. I was so excited by the thought of playing at Stamford Bridge with Drogba, Terry and Lampard but Dinamo didn't want to let me go. When I discovered it I was very sad and I couldn't hold back tears for the disappointment."

"Euro 2008 is my biggest sports trauma of my career. I was included in the Euro Team Of The Tournament but it didn't comfort me. I was haunted by the images of the match and of my failed penalty.. I thought about it obsessively for weeks."

"When I got the first increase from Dinamo, I decide to buy a new car for my dad and then a new big flat for my family. They were really moved.

One of the most beautiful things in the world is to make life easier for your parents, for those who have always taken care of you."

"We reached the Champions League with Tottenham in 2010. I especially remember the game in Milan against Inter. Bale delivered a great performance: an hat-trick. That game marked the beginning of his rise. We were already on good terms and we bonded even more playing together."

Modrić: "Quarter finals games were against Real Madrid and I felt the thrill of playing against a whole team of stars. The atmosphere at Santiago Bernabeu was impressive, we watched that temple of football astonished."

Sir Alex Ferguson in 2011: "For me, Luka Modrić is Premier League best player"

"During summer 2012 PSG contacted me 'We really appreciate you and we would like you to join us'.
Carlo Ancelotti himself told me this when we met at his house. It was a very friendly conversation, he's a special person and an exceptional coach"

Modrić: "From the moment I first saw Zlatan Ibrahimović on the pitch, he had become one of my favorite players. He had an extraordinary class in every situation, he also made sensational acrobatic passes.
I liked him"

"I got a call from Mamić in June 2012: 'Real Madrid called for you, their coach wants you for the next season'.

I was shocked, without words. My first thought was 'My dreams come true'.

Real Madrid is a legendary team, it's the best in football world."

"Jose Mourinho wanted me, the most important coach in the world wanted me.
A few days later he called me: 'I want you in my team. I like you as a player and I trust you. I'm sure you will become a great in Real Madrid.'

He won me over immediately."

"Tottenham didn't want to let me go. The negotiations were very difficult, everything was falling apart. I had the backing of Florentino Perez and Mourinho himself called Levy trying to convince the club."

Papa Flo

"At Euro2012 I played against the great Spain of Casillas, Ramos, Xavi and Iniesta, one of my best performances in the Croatia jersey.
I exchanged the shirt with Iniesta, a champion very dear to me.
Sergio Ramos walked over to me, hugged me and said: 'I'll see you in Madrid'. "

"The first day in Madrid is unforgettable. I was very excited, the atmosphere was incredible. My ex numbers were already taken: 10-Ozil, 23-Cheryshev, 14-Alonso. I chose the number 19, the sum of 1 and 9, that special number I've always wanted."

Modrić: "When I arrived at Valdebebas, I was greeted by the captain Iker Casillas and he told me I had to feel at home. Kakà greeted me warmly and Cristiano Ronaldo approached me as if we were old friends: 'You've arrived finally!'

"My first game with Real Madrid was a Clasico in the Spanish Super Cup. I played 10 minutes and we won the title. I lifted that trophy and I was so happy.
The same night I got a message from Mourinho: 'You've been great! Congratulations for you first trophy: there will be others'

"My football life changed after that game at Old Trafford. Only after that match I became a true Real Madrid player and my position was no longer in question. That game against Manchester was a great confirmation."

Modrić: "Cristiano was very supportive to me from day one. He's a phenomenon. Kakà was wonderful, someone said we were rival but it's false: he immediately put me at ease and told me that I could count on him for anything."

Luka tells about the health problems of his wife in his book. He's very proud of her because, despite all the complications, she managed to create their beautiful family

Luka: "I was very scared but I had to be strong for both her and our children"

Vanja said: "Luka, you're doing your best in football. I wanna do my best for this family"

And now they're happy with their 3 amazing children

"Some players were not comfortable with Mourinho. For example, he left Ramos on the bench against City and Sergio was really angry. The same happened with Casillas.
One day he yelled at me: 'Luka, what are you doing? You're playing like Zidane at 50!'
Mourinho is like that."

"During a game Özil and Mourinho had a bad argument and Kakà took his place. Then Ramos played with an Özil's jersey under his one as a solidarity sign for his friend.
There were many tensions and clashes between players and coach."

"During a game Ronaldo didn't follow his man at a throw-in. Mou was furious. The two fought for a long time on the pitch. In the dressing room Ronaldo was upset, almost in tears. Mou came in and started to criticise him for his responsibility, there was almost a real fight"

March 2013
Modrić: "Florentino Perez asked me to encourage Bale to come to Madrid. We often spoke on the phone and Gareth always told me that he would like to play for Real Madrid very much. So it happened."

"Before the Champions League final in 2014 Ancelotti gathered us in the conference room for a surprise: they screened a recording in which each player's family sent encouraging messages.
We were all moved and motivated"

Modrić: "I remember we were in Lisbon, in the dressing room, and we were ready to play. Sergio Ramos came over and said to me: 'Luka, you're very important to us, we need you to do your best tonight'.
And it happened."

Modrić: "Raùl motivated me before the final against Atletico: 'this game depends a lot on you'

The words of such a champion motivated me to give everything."

Modrić: "One of the best periods in the history of Real also coincided with my period of best physical fitness. In the autumn of 2014 I played the highest quality of football of my career."

"Before my serious injury that took me out of the pitch for 4 months, the club wanted to extend my contract. After the injury they called me immediately to confirm the deal. I felt relieved. They showed me the maximum confidence. And I needed it."

"After a friendly match with Inter Milan Florentino was very impressed with Kovacic. I took advantage of the situation and encouraged Florentino to buy him. Mateo is a truly exceptional player with extraordinary potential.
After 3 weeks he was with us"

March 2016

Zidane: "Luka, you must be aware of how much you are worth. You are at the level of the best ones who can win the Ballon D'Or."

Modrić: "Zizou always asked for my opinion. I felt special"

"Marcelo, Varane, Ramos, Navas, Nacho, Lucas Vazquez and Bale are not only teammates but they're people I love to spend free time with.
We organize parties for children's birthdays and often go out together."

Modrić: "Real Madrid, I say this with great pride, has repeatedly improved my contractual conditions without any solicitation on my part. I feel very appreciated"

"In 2014 I had a strange talk with Mandzukic before a game and suddenly our relationship got worse. We didn't talk to each other for 4 years. I didn't know why. In 2018 I decided to solve the problem and Mario told me: 'I wasn't angry with you, I thought you were angry with me'

Modrić: "In Turin we attended one of the most spectacular goals: Ronaldo's bicycle kick was perfect. The moment was magic. He had been trying to score that way for a long time. The most beautiful thing was the reaction of the Italian fans: everyone stood up to applaud Ronaldo."

Modrić: "After three finals, the game in Kiev seemed almost routine. The excitement was always strong, but thanks to the experience, we could control it more."

Modrić: "There is a bias that Americans are not interested in European football. But it's false.
I remember when Julia Roberts came to Bernabeu with her children: she was so enthusiastic, excited and very happy to meet us!"

Modrić: "The worst thing happened during the Champions League celebrations: Ronaldo told us that he would leave the team.

Nobody thought it could happen.."

Modrić: "The days after Kiev I felt very happy and fulfilled: I had had everything I wanted and I was aware of it.
One day I told my wife: 'Do you know what? I feel so good and I am so motivated that in the World Cup I will crack!'
I had that feeling."

Modrić: "There is no need to explain how ingenious Messi is. During the WC, it was evident that everyone had the highest expectations on him: he had a great responsibility towards all the Argentines who dreamed of winning the title. As a captain, I understood his position well."

Modrić on Messi:
"The argument that he's better or less than Maradona cannot be based only on a goal that has not arrived against Germany in 2014. A footballer, however phenomenal, alone is not enough to lead the team to victory if the team is not up to it."

Modrić: "For the game against Denmark I booked 30-50 tickets for family and friends. They were really many and in total I spent around €100,000. But I would do that again."

"I missed a penalty against Denmark at 116'. I decided to try again in the shootout and I succeded. When Rakitic scored the last one I felt the need to hug and kiss all my teammates. If we hadn't won, I don't know how I could have lived with that sense of guilt: they saved me."

Modrić: "I'm a guy who gets very angry if I see someone who doesn't engage in training. It happens with Croatia and it happens in Madrid too: when something goes wrong in training I burst of anger."

"Before the games against France we all had physical discomforts. I had a problem since the Denmark game: my back hurt a lot because I had a compressed nerve in the lumbar area. Against England I had to get an injection because I was in a lot of pain and also before the final."

Modrić: "I still really want to play with Croatia, I feel great and I am motivated. I am convinced that I can help young players to mature. Furthermore, I set myself the goal of winning Euro 2020."

If thers someone who can do that, that's Luka

"I arrived at Valdebebas with the Ballon D'Or, I entered the dressing room where my teammates were. When they saw me there was an ovation and then chaos broke out: they applauded for more than a minute! It was impressive and touching! They were happy for me, the best thing ever."

Modrić: "I have been told that after Russia 2018 I will not be able to always remain on the same level. This prompts me to show that it is obly a prejudice.
I will play as long as my legs allow me and I'll keep working hard."

If you have the chance to buy this book, buy it because it's really good

Thank you everybody