When Luka Modrić signed for Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2012, there was excitement and curiosity in equal measure. Could the Croatian playmaker make the leap from Premier League star to orchestrating games at the Bernabéu? His first taste of La Liga came on 2 September 2012, when Real Madrid hosted Granada in a match that would mark the beginning of one of the greatest careers in Spanish football.
A Perfect Stage for a Debut
Real Madrid had endured a shaky start to the 2012/13 season, and José Mourinho handed Modrić his first La Liga appearance at the Santiago Bernabéu. The match provided the ideal setting: a home crowd eager for inspiration and an opponent in Granada that allowed Modrić space to settle into his rhythm.
The Match
Cristiano Ronaldo stole the headlines with two goals, while Gonzalo Higuaín added another to seal a 3-0 win. Modrić immediately showcased the qualities that would define his Real Madrid legacy: composure on the ball, intelligent passing, and an ability to dictate tempo.
He linked midfield and attack with ease, feeding Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in dangerous areas while also helping Madrid maintain control the game.
The Beginning of a Legacy
Looking back, few could have predicted just how influential this debut would be. Modrić went from a new signing under scrutiny to becoming the heartbeat of Real Madrid’s midfield for more than a decade. From four Champions League titles in five years to a Ballon d’Or in 2018, his journey truly began that night against Granada.
“Worst Signing of the Season” in 2012
A Debut to Remember
Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory may not have been the most dramatic game of the season, but it symbolised the start of a new era. For Modrić, it was the first step toward legendary status in Madrid. For the fans, it was the first glimpse of a midfielder who would go on to define a generation.