Croatian midfielder and Milan star Luka Modric has given an extensive interview to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, where he spoke about his life, personal and professional growth, as well as the difficult experiences that have shaped him as a footballer and as a person.
Among the topics covered, Modric also touched on the clashes between Croatia and Serbia, as well as his period in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where in 2003 he was loaned to Zrinjski, at the age of just 17.
Speaking about the matches against Serbia, Modric stressed that they cannot be compared to ordinary international matches.
“I played against them twice, in 2013, in the World Cup qualifiers. In Zagreb we won 2:0, while in Belgrade we drew 1:1. In both cases the atmosphere was extremely difficult. They were not normal matches. The fight was still felt and is still felt. I think it will always be like this,” said Modric.
He also spoke candidly about his first experience as a senior footballer, during his loan to Zrinjski Mostar, a period he describes as extremely difficult, but crucial for his career.
“It was my first experience as a senior, on loan from Dinamo. It was very difficult. There were Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs, three religions: Muslim, Catholic and Orthodox. When you went to play in Sarajevo, it was like hell. The referees didn’t protect you and the pressure was incredible. I was only 17 years old, but that helped me a lot,” Modric recalled.
He added that that period made him stronger and more prepared for future challenges.
“If you could play in Bosnia right after the war, then you could play anywhere,” the Croatian legend concluded. /Telegraph/