How did Luka Modric become the second most-hated man in Croatia?
The Real Madrid midfielder is Croatia's greatest export but his involvement in a corruption case has led to a dive in popularity
by Nick Elliott
10th July 2018, 10:00 am Updated: 10th July 2018, 10:56 am
Luka Modric is perhaps the best midfielder in the world right now.
The diminutive passmaster put on an exhibition in the most recent Champions League final and has carried on his sparkling form by inspiring Croatia to the World Cup semi-finals.
As one of Croatia’s most successful exports, he should be a national hero.
Former Dinamo Zagreb chief Zdravko Mamic is on trial for embezzlement and tax fraud, among other things.
The 58-year-old is accused of illegally pocketing a chunk of Modric’s transfer fee when he left Dinamo for Spurs in 2008.
There’s no debate as to whether or not he was made absurdly rich off the back of the deal, the trial is simply determining if anything illegal took place.
Mamic has always been supportive of Modric’s career, but last year the veteran of 97 international caps testified that the 50-50 fee split annex was only signed and backdated after Modric had been sold – which would mean bad news for Mamic.
However, in his most recent appearance in court, Modric changed his story and claimed had initially confused the situation.
“That I’ve never said… that it… that… that it was drawn up afterwards,” he stuttered.
“I told you then that I couldn’t remember when it had been done.”
Modric’s switcheroo improves the defence’s situation considerably.
Mamic is a vastly unpopular man in Croatia and is seen as the most harmful character to the integrity of Croatia’s domestic game.
Last year he was punched into the sea by a passer-by.
And so Modric’s reversal has seen his popularity dive in his homeland with many graffiti artists targeting the midfielder.
As of March this year, Modric was officially charged with perjury by Croatian authorities over suspected false statements in court.
If found guilty, one of the greatest midfielders of his generation could face up to five years in prison.
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