Four Four Two - UK (2020-11)

in football. For such a small country it
was amazing, and I get goosebumps
when I remember that game against
England and how we reached the final
after extra time. But no, to be honest,
we didn’t feel underestimated by the
players, the coaches or the people in
football. We did feel we were possibly
a little underestimated by the media.
When we read some of the coverage,
things that were written gave us even
more motivation to succeed in Russia.
That’s how we all felt in that moment,
and perhaps it helped us to find a bit
more motivation! [Laughs]

How heartbreaking was it to lose the
World Cup final against France?
Evan Mannion, via Instagram
Yeah, that was tough – very tough. We
knew that what we had all achieved, in
qualifying for the final, was something
incredible for the country, but to lose it

was hard for everyone. I don’t want to

say that it was harder for me, but you

know, when you get used to winning

finals with Real Madrid and then you

lose the big one with your country, it’s

difficult. I was trying to hold it in and

not allow myself to cry after the game.

I just about held it in, but I wanted to

cry on the pitch. Losing that final was

a tough one to take.

How proud were you to pick up the

Ballon d’Or, breaking a decade-long

duel for the prize between Cristiano

Ronaldo and Lionel Messi?

Lewis Eadie, via Instagram

That was an amazing moment – the

best moment for me personally. The

Ballon d’Or is the greatest individual

achievement that exists. And I was so

happy that people had recognised me

as the best player that year, because

when you look at them all – whether

it wastheUEFAaward,TheBest award

fromFIFAwhereit’scaptains, players

andcoachesthatvote,andthen the

reportersfortheBallond’Or– they all

cametothesameconclusion. It made

meextremelyproud.

Whatcanyourememberabout the

momentyoudiscoveredyou’d won

theBallond’Or?

SallyWright,Plymouth

FranceFootballhadsaidtome, “If you

winit,we’llphoneyoumaybe a week

beforehand.”Weplayedin the Nations

League against England at Wembley,

then I had a day off so decided to stay

in London with my wife. That morning

as I woke up, I saw that the director

of France Football was trying to phone

me. I didn’t want to answer, because

I didn’t know what to think! [Laughs]

Suddenly I started shaking – I almost

started crying. I said to my wife, “Look

who’s calling me!” She said, “Come on,

answer it then!” I said, “No, no, I’ll call

him later – I need to calm down a bit

first.” Eventually I phoned back and he

told me that I’d won the Ballon d’Or –

I felt so happy. That day

was unbelievable, but

because me and my

wife were staying over

with friends, I was very

happy but couldn’t tell

anyone – I had to keep

it a secret. I wanted to

tell everyone straight

away, though! [Laughs]

Cristiano Ronaldo had just left Real

Madrid for Juventus when you won

the Ballon d’Or. Did he congratulate

you, even though you beat him to

the award that year?

Marco Tomas, Lisbon

Yeah, we were in touch when I won:

he was sending me messages, and we

still stay in contact sometimes. When

someone like him sends you a text to

congratulate you, it means something

because he knows how it feels to win

• he has won so many times. Imagine
  how it feels for someone to win it for
  the first time – even better – so it was
  nice for him to send that message. To
  play with Cristiano at Real Madrid was
  incredible and special – he’s one of the
  best players in the history of football.
  He was so demanding: during games,
  he wanted everyone to give their best.
  He motivated us and he was a leader.

Would you have given up your Ballon

d’Or trophy if it meant Croatia could

have won the World Cup final?

@AllanRileyy, via Twitter

That’s not a tough question – without

any doubt, I would give up that award

for winning the World Cup with Croatia.

Individual prizes are great, of course,

but for me, collective things are more

important – especially the World Cup.

There is no bigger trophy. If I had the

chance to change it, I would.

Your current Real Madrid deal is due

to expire next summer. Could you be

tempted to rejoin Spurs one day, like

Gareth Bale?

@SpursKumo, via Twitter

I think I’m too old to go back to Spurs!

[Laughs] I still have one more year at

Real Madrid. For sure, I’ll stay here for

that one year, then we’ll see after that

what happens – whether I’ll stay and

extend my contract or go somewhere

else. I feel good, and want to carry on

playing football for a few more years.

Where it will be, we’ll see after 2021.

To be honest, I’ve not thought about it

much. I’m focused on Real Madrid and

what we can achieve this season, and

then with Croatia at the Euros. That’s

my main focus, then who knows? I’ll

sit down with the board and we’ll work

out the easiest solution for everyone,

whether I stay at Real Madrid or not.

I’ve been here for eight great seasons

d formed a good relationship

ith all the people at the club,

I’m sure there won’t be any

roblem,whateverhappens.

YOU ASK

HIGHS & LOWS

HIGH: 2010

Plays key role as Spurs qualify

for the Champions League

LOW: 2011

Denied move to Chelsea despite

lodging transfer request

HIGH: 2014

Secures first of four Champions

League titles with Real Madrid

LOW: 2018

Part of Croatia side beaten 4-

by France in World Cup final

HIGH: 2018

Wins the Ballon d’Or – Cristiano

Ronaldo is 2nd, Lionel Messi 5th

Clockwise from far left

Joining Real Madrid was

a dream come true; “We

didn’t do this at Spurs”;

Russian heartbreak; the

best (and most current)

coach Modric has ever

had; “Have that, Crissy”

Luka Modric’s autobiography

is published by Bloomsbury

Sport, priced at £18.99, and

available to purchase now

in hardback and audiobook