The Croatian Luka Modric, a midfielder for Real Madrid and the undisputed leader of Spain's first opponent in Euro 2024, has found La Roja to be one of his toughest adversaries, having won only once in the six matches he's played against them.

Modric, an absolute legend who has been wearing the Croatian jersey for 18 years since debuting in 2006 right before the World Cup in Germany, the same country where he may end his journey in major tournaments, has had more successes than defeats as an international player.

He is the most-capped player in Croatia's history, with 175 appearances, and boasts 96 victories, 46 draws, and only 38 losses.

In the European Championships, he's on the verge of his fifth participation, although his record isn't as impressive as in the World Cups. His best achievement, which is also Croatia's best, is reaching the quarter-finals in 2008. In World Cups, however, the story is different, having played in the final in 2018 and reaching the semi-finals in 2022.

Despite his strong international record, Spain remains a tough challenge for him. Modric has four losses, one win, and one draw against La Roja. In that draw, Croatia lost in the penalty shootout in the Nations League final against Spain.

Modric has been involved in seven matches against Spain, but in one of those, during the group stage of Euro 2016 (a 2-1 victory for Croatia), he did not play a single minute.

Thus, his record remains quite negative: only one win in the Nations League group stage on November 15, 2018, which ended with a 3-2 scoreline and included an assist from him.

Modric's encounters with Spain began in a friendly in 2006 when he was 18 years old.

Since then, they have faced each other in the group stage of Euro 2012, the Nations League in 2018, the Round of 16 in Euro 2021, and the Nations League final, which officially counts as a draw after 120 minutes, but Croatia lost in the penalty shootout.

A new chapter in this recent European national team rivalry will take place at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Historically, the European Championship has eluded Croatia, and Spain has been a tough opponent for Luka Modric. However, statistics mean nothing when the referee blows the whistle to start the match.