In an interview with a Croatian TV program, Modric recalled his childhood and talked about his views on his physical condition as a football player.
Talking about childhood
My childhood was not easy, but it cannot be said to be unfortunate. Even though it was a time of war, I still felt happy. I was surrounded by many friends and we took refuge in a hotel where there were many children. You know how a lot of things can happen around us, but you are still doing well, having friends, being able to go out and play football, do things that kids do, play hide and seek... We are doing well. Before the war? There are some things I don't quite remember. We lived in Zadon near Obrovec, and when the war started we moved to Zadar. I remember things, like when my grandfather was murdered and died, that are unforgettable. But no matter what, my childhood was happy. From the beginning I was focused on football but also enjoyed other sports. I play basketball and consider myself to be pretty good. I also like tennis. I am a sports person, but football always comes first.
Are you frustrated because someone says your physical condition is not good enough?
No, I have always had confidence in myself, and this belief has run through my entire career. In fact, it became my motivation to move forward. I don't really care what other people think, I listen, but it just motivates me, especially the negative ones. I never thought I could be too short or too weak, football is about more than just strength and height. You don’t have to be 1.9 meters tall or be the fastest in the 100-meter dash. Football is a combination of skill, mind and feeling. Even today when watching football games, people always try to emphasize aggression, speed, strength and size, all of which become the yardstick, but the most important thing in football is the mind, always. Power and speed will never trump skill and mind. That's why people like and watch football.