LUKA MODRIC has enjoyed a stunning career, including winning the Ballon d’Or title in 2018.

But his upbringing could not have been tougher.

29Luka Modric endured a tough childhood29Growing up in Zadar, Modric won accolades for his local teamCredit: Collect29The burned-out former house Modric lived in with his grandfatherCredit: Getty – Contributor

When the Croatia and Real Madrid superstar was just six years old, his entire existence was rocked by the shooting of his beloved granddad at the hands of militant Serbian thugs and he was forced to live life as a refugee in his war-torn homeland.

But despite such hardship, that didn’t stop the ambitious kid from going on to become one of the best players on the planet and still, aged 37, a global superstar.

In 2018, he was voted the best player on the planet, ending the decade of dominance of the award by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

But on December 8, 1991, during Croatia’s war of independence, violent Serbian militia stormed Modrici, a small village near the Velebit mountains in northern Dalmatia and wrought terror on Croatian families who hadn’t escaped.

One of those caught in the crossfire was Luka Modric Snr, who was walking his cattle up an abandoned street when he was cornered by a group of Serbians.

They brutally executed him along with five other locals.

The idea behind the barbaric act was to send a message to other Modrici residents that they must leave their town behind, but it robbed the future Real Madrid midfielder of his grandfather.

29Modrici was where Modric was raised before his family fled to ZadarCredit: Getty – Contributor29An early football club registration card from Modric’s childhoodCredit: Collect29Modric was just six when his granddad was murdered by Serbian militia29Modric has gone on to great success with the Croatian national team and Real MadridCredit: AFP or licensors29Many Croatians were forced out of their villages by Serbian forcesCredit: Ron Haviv

It hit Luka hard.

At the time, he was raised by Modric Snr while his parents Stipe and Radojka worked long hours in a knitwear factory to support the family financially.

And amazing footage emerged during the 2018 World Cup of a young Luka herding goats.

After the incident, his parents were forced to leave Modrici and they sought refuge at the Hotel Iz in the town of Zadar.

Without any electricity or running water, the sound of grenades and bullets became a daily occurrence for little Luka and his sister Jasmina, not to mention avoiding landmines potentially buried around any corner.

But that didn’t stop the boy from kicking a small, punctured football around the hotel car park, dreaming that one day he would be able to leave his war-torn existence behind.

29The family home Modric grew up in still stands todayCredit: Getty – Contributor29Families were torn apart, while an estimated 140,000 lost their lives during the warCredit: Toni Hnojčik29The town of Zadar became Modric’s home when he was forced out of ModriciCredit: AFP – Getty29Modric went from rags-to-riches through hard work and determinationCredit: Getty – Contributor29The Yugoslav Civil War began in 1991 and ended in 2001Credit: Romeo Ibrišević29The town of Modrici is near Croatia’s Velebit mountainsCredit: Getty – Contributor

It’s a rags-to-riches tale that’s testament to the five-time Champions League winner’s dedication and determination to succeed in the wake of an awful tragedy.

Modric rarely talks about his hardship, but when he signed for Spurs back in 2008, he briefly addressed the issues that blighted his childhood.

“When the war started we became refugees and it was a really tough time,” Modric revealed.

“I was six years old. These were really hard times. I remember them vividly but it’s not something you want to remember or think about.

29Croatia’s captain led his team to the final of the 2018 World Cup and now the semi-final four years laterCredit: EPA29Modric began his footballing education at Dinamo ZagrebCredit: AFP – Getty29As a young teen, Modric starred in midfield for Dinamo ZagrebCredit: Getty – Contributor29Serbian military volunteers were responsible for intimidating Croatian familiesCredit: Imre Szabo29Many children were affected by the events of the Yugoslav Civil WarCredit: Christopher Morris29Just a stone’s throw away from Modric’s abandoned home, a sign warns of the dangers of landmines nearbyCredit: Getty – Contributor

“We lived in a hotel for many years as we struggled financially, but I always loved football.

“I remember my first shin pads had the Brazilian Ronaldo on them and I loved them.

“The war made me stronger, it was a very hard time for me and my family. I don’t want to drag that with me forever, but I don’t want to forget about it either.”

It’s that mental toughness that has served Modric well during his career.

29Family man Modric has a son called IvanoCredit: AP:Associated Press29Modric met his wife Vanja Bosnic in 2007 at the Mamic sports agencyCredit: Getty Images – Getty29Ivan Rakitić and Luka Modric formed a terrific midfield partnership for Croatia at the 2018 World Cup, but Rakitić retired from international duty in 2020Credit: Instagram @lukamodric10

In Croatia’s stunning run to the Russia 2018 final, he overcame missing a penalty in normal time versus Denmark in the last-16 to step up in the shootout and send his side through.

He also took a pen in his country’s second penalty shootout win over Russia in the quarter-finals that ensured their semi-final berth.

Fast-forward four years and faced with the same pressure situation against Brazil in Qatar, Modric calmly buried another crucial penalty before eventually leading his country to a third-place finish against Morocco.

However, when Modric was 10 years old he was written off by a number of coaches who thought he was too frail and shy to make it in the game.

Hajduk Split passed on him and it was only when Tomislav Basic, a coach of a team that Modric played for in Zadar, stepped in and used his contacts to get Luka a trial at Dinamo Zagreb.

29At Spurs, Luka Modric was a cult heroCredit: PA:Press Association29In 2012, Modric moved to Real Madrid for a fee of £30mCredit: Getty – Contributor29During his career with Real Madrid, Modric has lifted the Champions League four timesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

From there his talent flourished, he went on to Tottenham and Real Madrid and is now a star for both club and country, as well as being one of the most respected footballers in the world.

And his personal life couldn’t be much better either.

He married Vanja Bosnic, who also acts as his agent, in 2010 in the Croatian capital of Zagreb. The pair first met at Mamic sports agency, where she worked.

Modric’s former Tottenham and Croatia team-mate Vedran Corluka was the best man at their wedding.

The couple’s first child, son Ivano, was born just three weeks after their big day.

Since then, they have had two daughters; five-year-old Ema and Sofia, who was born in 2017.

29Vanja Bosnic poses for a snap with son Ivano and daughters Ema and Sofia29Modric has been recognised as one of the world’s best playersCredit: Getty – Contributor29Bosnic and Modric married in 2010 in Zagreb

Bosnic is said to have such an influence on his life, she was deemed to be the person responsible for orchestrating his £30m move to Real Madrid.

Modric’s remarkable rise to the top of world football was confirmed when he won the Ballon d’Or.

No wonder his father Stipe was so emotional, saying: “I am the happiest and proudest father in the world.

“You are my genius. I can’t find words.”