Luka Modric marked Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or success with a unique gift before England defeated Croatia 2-1 in their Nations League meeting at Wembley Stadium on Thursday.
The Milan midfielder gave Kane a replica of the first football taken to Croatia by an Englishman in 1880, in a presentation held before kick-off to celebrate the England striker being named the best player in the world for 2026.
The ball commemorates the arrival of the Beautiful Game in Croatia. It was brought to the country by English industrialists in 1990 and was recreated using the same materials as the original.
By coincidence, the replica’s design was in Milan’s red and black colours.
Modric, who won the Ballon d’Or himself in 2018, presented the gift as he continued his playing career in Italy with Milan, having joined the club last season.
The presentation formed part of a number of initiatives staged before the match to recognise Kane’s achievement.
England went on to claim a 2-1 victory, although Croatia scored through Inter midfielder Petar Sucic.
Asked after the game to sum up Kane’s career, Modric replied: “Amazing, in one word, amazing.”
