Luka Modrić: Age, Ballon d’Or, Clubs & World Cup Career

Few football careers begin with a child fleeing war and end with a Ballon d’Or, but Luka Modrić’s story follows no ordinary script. Born in a small Croatian town during the Yugoslav Wars, he turned displacement into determination—rising through the ranks to become one of the most decorated midfielders in history.

Full name: Luka Modrić ·
Date of birth: 09 September 1985 ·
Place of birth: Zadar, Croatia ·
Position: Central midfielder ·
Current club (as of 2027): AC Milan ·
Ballon d’Or won: 2018

The table below summarises the key biographical and career facts about Luka Modrić.

What is Luka Modrić’s age?

When was Luka Modrić born?

Luka Modrić was born on 9 September 1985 in Zadar, Croatia, according to his Real Madrid official legend profile. That makes him 40 years old as of September 2025, an age at which most midfielders have long retired—yet Modrić continues to compete at the highest level in Serie A.

The implication: Modrić’s longevity is rare for a central midfielder who relies on agility and vision. He defies the typical age curve by maintaining a high work rate and tactical intelligence that few can match.

Which club does Luka Modrić play for?

Modrić’s Real Madrid career length

Modrić spent 13 seasons at Real Madrid, from 2012 to 2024, registering 597 matches and 43 goals for the club as per the Real Madrid official legend profile. During that period he won an extraordinary 28 trophies, including 6 European Cups and 4 La Liga crowns.

Modrić’s AC Milan transfer

In 2024, Modrić moved to AC Milan as a free agent, signing a contract that keeps him at the San Siro through at least 2025. The AC Milan official squad page lists him as a first-team midfielder. He also continues to captain the Croatia national team.

Has Luka Modrić won the Ballon d’Or?

What year did Modrić win the Ballon d’Or?

Yes, Modrić won the Ballon d’Or in 2018, becoming the first Croatian player ever to receive the award. The Real Madrid official legend profile confirms that he also claimed The Best FIFA Player of the Year and UEFA Player of the Year in the same season. That 2018 calendar year was arguably the peak of his career: he led Croatia to the World Cup final and then took home the sport’s most prestigious individual prize.

The pattern: Modrić broke the decade-long monopoly of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the Ballon d’Or, a feat that underscores his unique impact in a period dominated by two superstars.

Who is Luka Modrić’s wife?

Modrić is married to Vanja Bosnić, a Croatian marketing executive and former model. The couple wed in 2010 and have three children together, according to his Wikipedia entry. Bosnić has been a constant presence at his matches and is known for keeping their family life private despite her husband’s global fame.

Why this matters: Modrić’s stable family background is often cited by teammates as a grounding factor that helps him maintain focus amid the pressures of elite football.

What is Luka Modrić’s net worth?

Public estimates place Modrić’s net worth at roughly $50 million, derived from his long-term contracts at Real Madrid and endorsements with brands such as Nike and Hublot. The Wikipedia entry notes that his peak salary at Real Madrid exceeded €20 million per year. No official financial disclosure exists, so these figures remain estimates.

The catch: Modrić’s modest personal brand compared to teammates like Cristiano Ronaldo means his off-field earnings lag behind the sport’s top commercial earners, but his on-field compensation alone places him among football’s best-paid players.

Will Luka Modrić play in the 2026 World Cup?

Luka Modrić World Cup appearances

Modrić has played in four World Cups: 2006, 2014, 2018, and 2022. He captained Croatia to the 2018 final (winning the Golden Ball for best player) and led them to a bronze medal in 2022, as confirmed by Britannica biography. As of early 2027, his participation in the 2026 World Cup remains uncertain due to age—he would be 40 when the tournament kicks off. He has not publicly declared retirement from international football.

What this means: If Modrić does play in 2026, he would become one of the oldest outfield players in World Cup history. The Croatian Football Federation has not yet announced their squad plans, and Modrić himself has kept his options open.

When will Luka Modrić retire?

Modrić has not set a firm retirement date. In interviews, he has indicated he will play as long as his body allows, and his move to AC Milan in 2024 was widely interpreted as a two- to three-year final chapter. The Real Madrid official legend profile notes his contract with Milan runs through 2025, with an option for an additional season. Many analysts expect him to retire after the 2026 World Cup—if he participates—or at the end of his Milan deal.

The trade-off: Modrić must balance his desire to compete with the risk of diminishing his legacy by playing past his peak. For now, he remains a starting-caliber midfielder in one of Europe’s top leagues.

For Croatian footballers coming up through the ranks, Modrić’s path offers a template: a war refugee who turned adversity into a Ballon d’Or, who swapped the Bernabéu for San Siro to prove that age is just a number. The choice for fans is clear: watch Modrić while he lasts, because players like him don’t come around often.