Luka Modric is one of the finest midfielders on the planet and a key figure at Real Madrid, but his namesake has just joined NK Varteks.
The Croatian third division club have caused quite a stir with their capture of an 18-year-old talent who shares a name with his illustrious countryman.
He may not be of the same standard as the La Liga and Champions League double winner at Santiago Bernabeu, but the other Modric is enjoying his rather unusual claim to fame – even if it can be difficult to convince people at times that he really is who he says he is.
Real Madrid's 15 worst signings ever
Upon his unveiling at Varteks, Modric said: “When I meet someone and I tell them my name, no one believes me.
“In fact, as soon as I shake hands with people, I immediately reach for an ID card because I have to prove who I am.
“They think I am kidding!”
With such a name, and as a fellow Croatian, you would think there is only one natural choice to be Modric’s role model.
He is, however, prepared to admit that he places Manchester United legend Paul Scholes above a star turn in Madrid.
Modric added: “Congratulations to Luka Modric, I'd like to meet him, but although he is our best player, my idol is Paul Scholes from United.
“I often go on YouTube and look how Scholes played, it was perfection.”
Madrid unhappy with Ronaldo silence
While modelling his game on a Premier League icon and boasting a famous name on the back of his shirt, Modric claims that he is not planning on having a future in football.
He said: “I plan to go to college. I'm thinking of a mechanical engineering faculty in Zagreb
“School, for me, is very important as you never know what will happen in a football career and with a degree in your pocket you have some options.”
So, unfortunately it looks like there is not much chance of two Luka Modrics gracing the same playing field any time soon.
