Luka Modric Family Tree: The Story Behind Croatia's World Cup Captain

Luka Modrić, born 9 September 1985 in Zadar, SR Croatia, Yugoslavia, is one of the great midfielders of the 21st century — Real Madrid's senior midfielder, Croatia captain, 2018 Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup Silver Ball winner, and a six-time UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid.

The Family's Roots: Dalmatian Hinterland

The Modrić family is from Modrići, a small village in the Dalmatian hinterland near Zadar, Croatia. The 1991–95 Croatian War of Independence displaced the family to a Zadar hotel for years.

His Parents

Father: Stipe Modrić — aircraft mechanic; served in the Croatian Army during the war years.

Mother: Radojka Modrić — textile worker.

His Late Grandfather

Luka Modrić Sr. — Luka's grandfather, who lived in Modrići and was killed by Serbian paramilitaries during the war in December 1991. Young Luka was named after him.

His Wife: Vanja Bosnić

Vanja Bosnić — Luka's wife; daughter of Milorad "Mile" Bosnić, a Croatian-Bosnian player agent. Luka and Vanja married in May 2010.

Their Children

Ivano Modrić, born 2010 — son.

Ema Modrić, born 2013 — daughter.

Sofia Modrić, born 2017 — daughter.

The Modrić Family Tree at a Glance

Family Origins: Modrići village, Dalmatian hinterland near Zadar.

Father: Stipe Modrić — aircraft mechanic; Croatian Army veteran.

Mother: Radojka Modrić — textile worker.

Grandfather: Luka Modrić Sr. — killed December 1991 during the Croatian War.

Wife: Vanja Bosnić (married May 2010).

Children: Ivano (b. 2010); Ema (b. 2013); Sofia (b. 2017).

Luka Modrić:

  • Born 9 September 1985, Zadar
  • Dinamo Zagreb academy and senior debut
  • Tottenham Hotspur: 2008–2012
  • Real Madrid: from August 2012
  • UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2021–22, 2023–24 (6 titles)
  • La Liga: 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2023–24
  • Croatia captain; World Cup 2018 runner-up, Golden Ball at the tournament
  • Ballon d'Or: 2018
  • The Best FIFA Men's Player: 2018

What the Modrić Family Story Teaches Us

A Dalmatian village. An aircraft-mechanic father. A textile-worker mother. A grandfather killed in a war that displaced the family. A wife of 16+ years. Three children. A career that became one of the most decorated in modern football.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Modrić story carries the same lesson. War is on the family record alongside every trophy. The December 1991 killing of Luka's grandfather is part of the same tree as the 2018 Ballon d'Or. Write down the hardest chapters. They are the most consequential entries on the tree.

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