When Luka Modric appeared at the press conference at the Luzhniki Stadium yesterday, his slight figure hardly reflected a story he has already scripted in this World Cup so far. The five-feet-six-inches midfielder was discouraged to play football mainly because of his height. He is one those players who has faced adversity most in his life. A refugee once, the 32-year-old is now on the verge of winning something that will inspire the smaller nations in the years to come. Modric has won all the glories at club level, becoming a key figure for Real Madrid.
And perhaps it is about time he ended the duopoly of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the highest individual award -- the Ballon d'Or of 2018.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. He is only one game away from taking a country of four million people to their biggest pride, provided that he guides his side past France in today's World Cup final. He has been instrumental in taking Croatia to their first-ever World Cup final. And if he can do that the Golden Boot will not only be his property but more importantly he will be bracketed with the game's legends.
He is a man of self-confidence and he will tell you he never entertained detractors.
“I can only say I never doubted my ability irrespective of other's notion. I always believed to be where I'm now. You don't have to be a stalky lad to play football and I'm happy with where I'm now,” Modric told reporters.
When asked about his prospect of winning the Golden Ball, he reflected from a different perspective.
“I have repeated several times that I only focus on my national team's success. That will be very nice and pleasing -- but I don't really preoccupy myself with Individual rewards as they are not priority to me. I want my team to win and, God willing we may win the Cup tomorrow.”
While coach Zlatko Dalic shaped the team into an invincible unit after taking over in September last year, it was Modric who led in the middle like a true midfield general.
“I have gone through a lot of hardship in my life. For me the most important thing is never to give up, never to give in to circumstances and soldier on. Whatever happens you will have to trust your ability and that is to fight to realise your dreams. This is what was my motivation and this is what led me to this point of my life,” said the Croatia captain ahead of today's final.
He will also tell you that he never wrote a script and read it to his teammates before a game and follows his intuition and act according to it.
“We do not have any special ritual beforea such a game. Everybody prepares their own way individually. Be relaxed prepared. And even if I had prepared something for the final I would not have disclosed it to you in public,” said the heartbeat of Croatia's journey to the final.
Modric also praised his coach Dalic, who was sitting beside him, for turning a hopeless unit into possible World Cup winners.
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