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Young Modrić Carries Famous Name as Motivation for Football Career
🇭🇷 Croatia /Sports

Young Modrić Carries Famous Name as Motivation for Football Career

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Marin Modrić, captain of the Hajduk U17 team, discusses the pressure and motivation of bearing the famous Modrić surname.
  • He shares his journey from his hometown club to Hajduk and his aspirations for the upcoming European Championship with the Croatian U17 national team.
  • Modrić describes himself as a combative, responsible, and team-oriented player aiming for continuous improvement.

The surname Modrić, synonymous with Croatian football legend Luka Modrić, carries significant weight, and 16-year-old Marin Modrić feels it keenly. As captain of Hajduk's cadet team and a key player for the Croatian U17 national team heading to the European Championship, Marin sees the name not as a burden, but as a powerful motivator. "It's primarily motivation and an additional incentive for me to work harder every day and be the best I can be," he stated. His football journey began in his hometown of Kaštel Gomilica with NK GOŠK, a club that also nurtured talents like Mario Pašalić and Marko Livaja. Modrić fondly recalls his early days, where football was a childhood passion that quickly grew into a serious pursuit, fueled by family support. The transition to Hajduk in 2021 fulfilled a childhood dream, though he acknowledges the immense responsibility that comes with wearing the club's jersey. He describes the experience as both challenging and rewarding, driven by his love for the game and the support of his community. Modrić characterizes himself as a player who is "combative, responsible, and a team player who always gives his maximum on the field." He embraces responsibility in crucial moments and strives to support his teammates. The Croatian U17 team is set to compete in Estonia, facing Belgium, the host nation, and Spain in the group stage, with Modrić poised to play a significant role.

The surname Modrić, of course, attracts attention and people immediately associate it with Luka Modrić, who has defined Croatian and world football. For me, it is primarily motivation and an additional incentive for me to work harder every day and be the best I can be.

— Marin ModrićDiscussing the impact of sharing a surname with Luka Modrić.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.