Luka Modric

THE FIRST AND ONLY AUTOBIOGRAPHY FROM REAL MADRID GALÁCTICO AND WORLD CUP SUPERSTAR LUKA MODRIC. 'Enthralling.' - Oliver Holt, Mail on Sunday 'Awesome' - Match Magazine 'Solemn, soulful and occasionally romantic' - Alyson Rudd, The Times 'an illuminating insight into the career of one of the greatest players in the modern game' - Late Tackle 'On a level with the great midfield players of the last 20 years.' - Sir Alex Ferguson, CBE For the first time, Real Madrid galáctico and Croatian legend Luka Modric tells the story of his journey from a childhood in his war-torn homeland to becoming a serial UEFA Champions League winner and one of the most celebrated footballers in the world. Regarded as one of the great midfield players of the last 20 years, Luka reveals the difficulties of growing up during the Croatian War of Independence and his beginnings as a footballer. The FIFA World Cup finalist sets the record straight regarding key moments at Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid; he gives us intimate insights into his treasured home life; and he brings us his personal account of his career peak - Croatia's dramatic path to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final. What were his thoughts during decisive matches? What was his relationship with key players and coaches? What is the inner determination that keeps him on the pitch? What does it take to become the best footballer in the world? Luka was consistently underestimated in his early career, but through grit and determination he has defied the expectations of everyone who doubted him, and reached the ultimate heights of world football. This is Luka Modric in his own words.

Luka Modric is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation. In 2018, he became the first footballer in history to win the four key awards for best player in a single year: World Cup Golden Ball, FIFA The Best Men's Player, UEFA Men's Player of the Year, and the Ballon d'Or. He plays for Real Madrid and captains the Croatian national team Robert Matteoni is a columnist, editor and renowned sports journalist. Starting his career as a footballer, he later became a sports reporter writing for Vecernji list, Vjesnik and Sportske novosti. Since 1994 he has been the official reporter for the Croatian national team, and has followed the team through three FIFA World Cups and three UEFA European Championships

Foreword by Sir Alex Ferguson CBE Foreword by Zvonimir Boban Chapter One Chapter Two Grandpa Luka Exile The School Bell Chapter Three Staying in Zadar My Favourite Coach The Hajduk Disappointment Back to the Ball Chapter Four In the Big City Football Academy The First Loan - Zrinjski The Second Loan - Inter Zapresic And Love Came Calling That's It The Return of the Champion Chapter Five Ups and Downs at Dinamo The Blazing Renaissance The European Siren Song Chapter Six UEFA Euro 2008 - the Euphoria and Drama Licking Wounds A New Life in London To Catch a Break Fears for Vanja My First Champions League Stormy Seas and Marital Port Chapter Seven Another Summer of Unease The Real Deal Limited Game Time The Turning Point Mother Courage The Uncompromising Mourinho Ciao, Carlo! La Décima The World Cup in Brazil A Season of Injuries El Grande Falling in France Chapter Eight Gloomy Days You Need to Fall Before You Can Fly The Race for the Treble Chapter Nine Preparations for Russia Nigeria Argentina Iceland Denmark Russia England The Final Chapter Ten And the Awards Go To... ...One More Thing Acknowledgements Author Biographies Index