Undoubtedly one of the best players of his generation, as well as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Luka Modrić has defied father time over and over again, and today turns 39.

To most players that would mean retirement, but for the Croatia and Real Madrid icon, age is seemingly very much just a number!

Having first come onto the main stage with Croatia at both the 2006 World Cup and EURO 2008, Modrić moved to Tottenham after that second tournament, spending four seasons in north London, a time in which he helped the club into the Champions League for the first time.

It was also with Spurs, and under Harry Redknapp, that he was converted from diminutive left-sided midfielder to all-round central midfield general.

Modrić’s career went to new levels when he joined Real Madrid in 2012, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing to begin with, being voted the worst signing of the season by Marca. As we all know now, things picked up, and he is now an all-time Los Blancos legend, having won six Champions Leagues and made over 500 appearances. He is also now captain, being the longest-serving player at the club.

His absolute peak came in 2018 when he won a third straight European Cup and led Croatia to the World Cup final. His performances saw Modrić crowned the Ballon d’Or winner – the first player not named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to do so since Kaká in 2007.

He celebrated his birthday early with the only goal in Croatia’s 1-0 Nations League victory over Poland, a stunning free-kick that sent the fans in the Opus Arena wild. It was his 27th goal on his record-extending and frankly astonishing 180th cap for his nation.

Who’d bet against him playing well into his 40s? Time isn’t slowing him down.