Modric wins golden ball as best player at the 2018 World Cup

Ever wonder how your favourite footballer rose to success? For many footballers, it was not as simple as being scouted or joining a football academy where their only concern was the sport. Many footballers have a life filled with harsh memories, losses, financial struggles, and displacement. Their stories are inspirational as they persevered and came out of their hardship for themselves and their families. 

Here are some of the inspirational stories which haunt some of our favourite footballers: 

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

Cristiano was not a legend by birth, but he made a decision early on that most certainly changed his life. He decided to become the world's best despite growing up on the remote island of Madeira in Portugal, to a family that struggled to make ends meet and a father struggled with alcoholism. Ronaldo's mother was the sole provider of the family and made sure of their financial security, supporting the family by working as a chef and a maid. Due to their dreadful financial conditions, Ronaldo's three siblings and he shared a room as a child. Despite coming from a financially unstable family, he still found time to pursue his dreams and play the sport he loved.

He had such a passion for the game that when they were unable to purchase a ball, he would make one out of rags and bottles. Indeed, Ronaldo's talent was recognised, and after competing for two amateur teams on the island, he was given the chance to train with Sporting CP, one of Portugal's most prestigious football clubs. However, this recognition did not come without sacrifice. At the young age of 11, he had to make the decision of leaving his home and his family. Fortunately, this sacrifice led him on the path to achieving his dream and stardom.

In just six years, his talent, commitment to training, and skill on the field led him to becoming the youngest player ever to sign with Europe's most prominent professional football league, Manchester United. Since then, Ronaldo has amassed an impressive list of achievements. When Ronaldo transferred from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009 for a reported 94 million euros, he set a new record for the most expensive football player ever. Some people regard him as the top player in the world right now.

Lionel Messi, Argentina 

Messi has been a football prodigy since he was young. He could easily slip to the goalpost due to his small height. However, he has trouble scoring due to a significant growth hormone deficit. His family was unable to pay for his care. Messi's father issued Barcelona an ultimatum when they first learned of him, saying that he would only allow his son to play if they paid for his medical care. Barcelona agreeing to this ultimatum paid off well as Messi is now one of the most popular footballers in the world and recognised as one of the world's top goal scorers. Messia, who formerly could not afford medical care, now has two opulent homes—one in Barcelona and one in his home country Argentina and multiple other lavish investments.  

Neymar Jr, Brazil

Neymar experienced extreme poverty and a deprived upbringing. His father supported his family by working three jobs. Their poverty was so extreme that their electricity went out at times. Neymar claimed that while he was growing up, his parents could not even buy the most basic necessities. When his mother could not afford to buy him a cookie one day, he assured her that he would soon become very wealthy from his career in football and purchase a large cookie factory. Although he and his family have gone through financial hardships and struggles, Neymar is now among the most well-known and expensive players in the world, and the cookie factory is no longer a dream. 

Angel Di Maria, Argentina 

When Di Maria was young, he worked in a coal mine with his sisters and father while living in extreme poverty. As a child, he was quite restless. In order to channel his bursting energy, Di Maria's doctor advised him to participate in sports, thus beginning his football journey. He became proficient in street football but his financial distress prevented his parents from investing in his football career. When he was noticed by scouts and recruiters, he would often request to be paid in footballs so that he could play more. His passion for the sport grew deeper and eventually, Di Mara joined the local club, Rosario Central, in 1995 and completed the youth program in 2005. 

His life in poverty is all in the past; he is widely considered one of the world's best wingers in the world and signed with Benfica at the age of 19 in 2007. With him on the team, Benfica won its first league title in five years, the Primeira Liga, and two Taça da Liga titles. From there, he joined Real Madrid in 2010 proving himself to be a versatile footballer. 

Gabriel Fernando de Jesus, Brazil

In Sao Paulo's northern sprawl, in the Jardim Peri neighbourhood, Jesus spent his childhood where street football became his passion. His family dynamics had a role to play in the footballer he is today as his father had abandoned the family and his mother, Vera Lucia, instilled in him values of discipline and hard work. Vera worked as a domestic help to make ends meet and raise Jesus and his older siblings on her own. To this day, Vera and Jesus share an impenetrable bond and respect for each other. 

Jesus is adored by those who knew him as a child now, and he still feels a deep connection to the neighbourhood. Today, he has become a local hero at Palmeiras and a role model to the younger players.

Luis Suarez, Uruguay 

Suarez was raised in a family of nine. Although he excelled at football, he lacked the proper footwear and was unable to invest in any. According to reports, Suarez worked as a street sweeper when he met his wife and collected pennies from the streets to buy her a date. 

Today, Suarez's net worth is reported to have around $84 million, and has multiple brand endorsements with Adidas, Pepsi, and tourism Malaysia. Affording dates and worrying about how his meal would come is a worry of the past; he and his family live in comfort in Barcelona where he owns an individual villa along with many luxury cars.

Luka Modric, Croatia 

Luka grew up in a run-down motel with his refugee family as a Croatian. He had a childhood marred by conflict. The 1991-1995 war with Serbian rebels, during which Zadar and the surrounding region were heavily shelled, toughened Modric. He would travel through bombing and seek our shelter with his friends on their way to training. Moreover, at the age of six, his family was compelled to leave their house because of Croatia's war of independence from Serbia, and took shelter in refugee camps. When the coach of a nearby football academy discovered the youngster playing football in the hotel parking lot, the family could barely afford to feed him properly. He was taken in by the academy, where he had to train under watchful eyes with everyone else prepared to flee for their lives if grenades started falling on the practice fields. 

Persevering in a literal battlefield, Luka is now among the top midfielders in the world and wears the Nike Mercurial Vapour 14 cleats for all his club and international games. Additionally, he is the brand ambassador of Nike, SofaScore, and OlyBet, and also works with multiple charities. 

Victor Moses, Nigeria

Victor Moses was born in Lagos, Nigeria, where he received little formal education and had no knowledge of the English language. His parents were killed in a religious dispute while he was watching a street football game that he used to play. In dire need of financial assistance, family and friends shifted the 11-year-old to London as an asylum seeker since his life was also in danger in Lagos. After being ultimately placed in a foster home in London, he was awarded a scholarship and allowed to enrol in the Crystal Palace academy.

Moses is now one of the richest and most influential footballers in Nigeria. The veteran footballer owns a mansion in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria with a state-of-the-art swimming pool, kitchen, gym, cinema, and advanced security systems, and lives blissfully with his wife and children. His garage might be an illustration of how successful Moses' career has been which houses a Mercedes Benz AMG G63 valued at 135,000 pounds and Ford Edge valued at 35,000 dollars along with Aston Martin, Ferrari 458 Italia, BMW i8, and so on. 

Carlos Bacca, Colombia

Bacca worked as a bus driver's assistant up until the age of 20. He also had a side job as a fisherman because this was not enough for him to make ends meet. He participated in local competitions until getting his big break at the age of 23 when he made it to a professional league.
He now makes a strike for Colombia however, his career is filled with many club transfers. Bacca's goal-scoring prowess has taken the spotlight and rapidly gained his position as one of Europe's deadliest attackers. Bacca's career has undoubtedly exceeded his wildest expectations, especially given that he grew up in poverty in Puerto Colombia and struggled to make ends meet.

Goals in each half by Luka Modric and Ante Budimir got Croatia a historic first win over Portugal in eight matches when they beat the hosts 2-1 in an international friendly on Saturday, as Cristiano Ronaldo remained on the bench.

Vitinha brought down Mateo Kovacic in the box soon after kick-off, resulting in a penalty. Portugal keeper Diogo Costa rightly guessed where Modric would aim, but his dive to the right fell just short as the Real Madrid midfielder scored his 25th goal for Croatia.

But half-time substitute Diogo Jota brought Portugal level three minutes after coming on, when fellow substitute Nelson Semedo found him inside the six-yard box with a short cross from the right. The Liverpool forward made no mistake with the close-range finish.

But Croatia restored their lead eight minutes later, despite Costa's best efforts as he did well to deflect Budimir's attempt to the crossbar. The rebound went right back to Budimir who headed it into the net with ease.

Portugal, who won six of their previous seven matches against Croatia, begin their Euro 2024 Group F campaign against Czech Republic on June 18. Croatia face Spain in their first Group B fixture next Saturday.

Luka Modric said Italy's last-gasp equaliser was a "cruel" way for Croatia to be pushed to the brink of elimination from Euro 2024 on Monday.

The 38-year-old became the oldest goalscorer in European Championship history when he prodded home in the 55th minute to put Croatia on track to reach the knockout phase for a fifth straight major tournament.

But Mattia Zaccagni's curling strike in the eighth and final minute of added time snatched Italy a 1-1 draw which put the holders into the last 16.

"We kept battling right until the end but unfortunately football was merciless with us tonight," said Modric.

"It was cruel... but that's part and parcel of football."

Croatia finished third in Group B behind runners-up Italy and Spain.

They will be knocked out of the tournament on Tuesday if England do not beat Slovenia 3-0 or by four goals, or if Denmark fail to defeat Serbia.

The 2022 World Cup semi-finalists were the better side for long periods against Italy in Leipzig, missing chances to score a second goal late on.

"It's hard when you lose like this to find the words to describe how you feel," added Modric, whose goal came less than 60 seconds after he had a penalty saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

"Perhaps it's unfair because we all really fought for Croatia right from the first whistle until the last. We should be proud of the way we represented our country tonight."

Modric is playing in his fifth Euros and has also appeared at four World Cups.

But he said he would not be retiring from football yet, as he continues to perform at the highest level after also winning his sixth Champions League title with Real Madrid earlier this month.

"I'd like to keep playing forever but there will probably be a time I'll have to hang up my boots," Modric said.

"I'll keep playing on, I don't know for how much longer."

His first European Championship ended with an agonising quarter-final exit at the hands of Turkey in 2008, when Croatia took the lead in the 119th minute in extra time, before conceding an equaliser and then losing on penalties.

Modric admitted Monday's heartbreak ranked alongside that loss 16 years ago.

"It's hard to actually outdo the Turkey game from 2008 but this game probably runs it pretty close. It's certainly a sad day for us and the Croatian national team."

Modric was substituted in the 80th minute, left to watch from the sidelines as Zaccagni likely sent his team crashing out in agonising fashion.

"I didn't want to waste him for more minutes, we needed to freshen up and get some guys on the pitch who could help," said coach Zlatko Dalic.

"I wanted in the last 10-15 minutes to bring on someone who was a bit fresher because Luka had given everything."

Ivan Rakitic is hoping this Croatia team can go a step further after matching the country’s heroes of 1998 by making it to the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Barcelona midfielder Rakitic scored the decisive spot-kick as Croatia beat Russia 4-3 on penalties after a dramatic quarter-final in Sochi on Saturday finished 2-2 at the end of extra-time.

“We worked so hard and gave everything we had to get through to the semis. I think for a country like Croatia it is impressive and we want to keep going further,” said Rakitic.

“We want to enjoy this victory and not put more pressure on ourselves with what happened in 1998 -- what they did was impressive but we want to keep writing our own history and enjoy what we are doing which is very positive.”

Croatia will play England in the last four in Moscow on Wednesday, as they aim to outdo the team of 20 years ago. Back then they lost to hosts France in the last four.

“I hope we can outdo them. Their generation are more than heroes for us,” added Rakitic.

Croatia came from behind in Sochi with Andrej Kramaric cancelling out Denis Cheryshev’s opener as the tie ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Domagoj Vida then headed Zlatko Dalic’s side in front in extra time, only for Mario Fernandes to make it 2-2 in the 115th minute.

However, Rakitic ensured that Croatia prevailed in the shoot-out, their second in a row after beating Denmark on penalties in the last round.

They must recover quickly from a draining night before facing England, who were 2-0 winners over Sweden earlier on Saturday.

“We enjoy playing against big teams as we showed against Argentina,” insisted defender Dejan Lovren.

“England are one of the favourites to win the World Cup and you need to respect that, but we have nothing to lose. We will enjoy this game and hopefully we can make history.”

Lovren added that he was confident right-back Sime Vrsaljko would recover from the muscle injury that forced him off in extra-time against Russia.

A month ago, if someone had predicted that France and Croatia would play the World Cup final in Russia, most of us would have dumped it as an impossible option. But here we are with that spectacularly different reality -- the Les Bleus and the Blazers lining up for today's final at the Luzhniki Stadium.

France are no rank outsiders -- they are a proven force and won the World Cup in 1998. But Croatia have certainly lived up their nickname -- blazing their way to their first-ever World Cup final. And if Croatia win, they will be the ninth nation to lift the coveted trophy.

Do they deserve it? Let's have the facts -- they played three knockout games on the trot for 120 minutes and more importantly they did it the hard way. Croatia won their semifinal against England in style – coming from a goal down to win it 2-1 in extra time, with Mario Mandzukic slamming the winner on 109 minutes. Not only that, they won their three group stage games which included a thumping 3-0 win against two-time world champions Argentina.

This Croatia team have so far not only demonstrated that they have got the qualities, if not pedigree, to go all the way to win the title. They will be up against a team they lost thrice against two draws in the last five meetings, but Croatia's inspirational coach Zlatko Dalic said past statistics would not win his opponents today's final.

“Statics, tradition and head to head -- I don't buy those. Tradition is there to be demolished. We do not mind who is on the other side of the pitch. We have come here to enjoy the moment and give our best. We deserved to play in the final; we want the world to watch Croatia play; we want most of the world to root for us. This is important. We will give our all, we will enjoy our football and whoever is the better team may they win,” Dalic said ahead of the final.

After that semifinal heart-break against France in their maiden World Cup appearance in 1998, Croatia lurched from bad to worse in the following three editions of the World Cup. They made it to Russia at the last moment but since then it has been a spectacular journey for them with Luca Modric playing the key role in a very experienced side.

They might have played more minutes and got less rest compared to France and they have so far proved that they love to grind their way out of a hole. This tough mentality might prove handy for them against an extremely talented yet raw French side, who had only one tough game against Belgium in the semifinal. France were successful in defending a 54th-minute Umtiti lead against Belgium. But the ploy of sitting back against a vastly experienced Croatia side might prove costly for them.

France will bank on the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe to create something on the break. But the key player for the Les Bleus would once again be again Antoine Grizemann and it will be interesting to see who controls the midfield.

France captain Hugo Lloris is well aware that this Croatia team is not only very experienced but have the quality too. He also reminded that they would have to be at their best if they want France to lift the World Cup for a second time and put behind the home disappointment of the Euro 2016 final against Portugal.

Twenty years ago, France joined the exclusive group of World Cup winners, defeating Brazil in the final. Croatia made their first appearance in that year and bowed out, suffering an agonising 2-1 semifinal defeat against France. They will get a second chance at redemption. And if they can do that, it will be gift to the dreamers. Croatia is a county of only four million people, but Dalic promised that the seismic wave back in Croatia would be even bigger than Brazil and Argentina if they win the final.