Luka Modrić’s Impactful Season at Zrinjski: A Turning Point in His Career
Captain of the Croatian national team, Luka Modrić (38), stated that his first senior season, when he was on loan at Zrinjski Mostar, helped him advance in his career. He jokingly mentioned that the club’s success in domestic and European competitions began after he left.
On Monday, Modrić caused euphoria in the city on the Neretva River when he attended the premiere of a documentary film about the 120-year history of the Croatian Sports Club Zrinjski. He visited the stadium of this most successful Bosnian and Herzegovinian football club, where he took his first steps in senior football in the 2003/2004 season when he arrived on loan from Dinamo.
“My time at Zrinjski helped me a lot”
In an interview with the club’s television, Modrić talked about his days at the club on the Neretva, friendships, and his relationship with the fans.
“My time at Zrinjski and other teams on loan helped me a lot before I went abroad. I came to a league that was quite tough, rough, and that helped me a lot as an 18-year-old to cope with senior football and duels. That’s why I always emphasize how much the season at Zrinjski helped me,” said Modrić.
At the HŠK Zrinjski stadium, he was welcomed by many young footballers with whom he took photos and signed autographs. He added that his heart started beating faster as he descended towards Mostar. He recalled the relationship with the fans who awarded him the best player of the team after just one season.
“I feel the love from Mostar every day”
“I made a lot of friends, but if I have to single out what I will remember the most, it’s the love of the fans. Even after 20 years since I left, I feel the love from Mostar, from the people of Herzegovina, every day. That stays with you forever and that’s what I’ll remember the most,” emphasized the Croatian captain.
Speaking about Zrinjski’s progress after his departure, when the club won eight Bosnian Premier League titles and participated in the Conference League last year, the Croatian national team’s number ten joked that it was because of him. “It seems that I strengthened the club when I left because that’s when Zrinjski started winning titles,” he said with a laugh.
He added that he follows Zrinjski’s performances and results, calling last year’s comeback, when the club turned a 0-3 deficit against AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League to a 4-3 victory, incredible. “That comeback against AZ was truly something incredible. The atmosphere and the match were phenomenal. Zrinjski has made a lot of progress, and the titles and performances in Europe confirm that,” concluded Modrić.