by croatiaweek
July 27, 2025
in
The childhood home of Luka Modrić (Photo credit: APneunzehn74/Public domain)
Manchester City and Croatia defender Joško Gvardiol recently paid a visit to the childhood home of Luka Modrić in the village of Zaton Obrovački, near Zadar.
After sharing a photo of his visit, a new detail struck a chord with many fans. What made the image especially moving was Gvardiol’s gesture of hanging Modrić’s iconic number 10 Croatia jersey on the front door of the house.
Modrić’s family home once belonged to his grandfather, also named Luka. The football legend spent his early childhood there before the outbreak of the Homeland War in 1991.
(Instragram/Josko Gvardiol/Screenshot)
Tragically, during the conflict, Modrić’s grandfather was brutally killed by Serbian paramilitary forces, and the house was set on fire.
The family was forced into exile, living in hotel accommodation in Zadar, where Modrić’s football journey would later begin.
Today, the house stands in ruins and is surrounded by minefields. It bears no official markings or memorials, which often surprises tourists who seek it out, expecting a site of national or football significance.
(Photo credit: Jason Kovac)
There have been recent efforts to change this. ZADRA NOVA, the development agency for Zadar County, launched an initiative to restore the site and turn it into an interpretive centre.
The proposed project includes an exhibition space, souvenir shop and educational material to tell the story of Modrić’s beginnings and the area’s history. However, the plan has yet to receive approval from the Modrić family.
(Photo credit: Jason Kovac)
It is important to note that the house itself is owned by the Republic of Croatia and was not in private ownership by the Modrić family.