Leeds United legend Mark Viduka's surprising link with Croatia World Cup star Luka Modric
Published: 16:39 Tuesday 10 July 2018
Leeds United legend Mark Viduka.
Leeds United legend Mark Viduka.
We're not sure anyone could have ever guessed this.
England take on Croatia on Wednesday evening for a place in the World Cup final and they'll be aiming to stop Real Madrid star Luka Modric in the process.
The midfielder though has a surprising link with a Leeds United legend.
Viduka, who spent four years with the Whites before their relegation from the Premier League in 2004, will be cheering on his younger cousin, yes, cousin, when the Three Lions kick off in Moscow.
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The former Leeds striker, who retired in 2009, is from Melbourne, Australia and captained his nation at their first appearance on the world stage for 32 years during the 2006 tournament in Germany.
Modric, who himself has appeared for Croatia at three World Cup's and two European Championships, is the current captain of Zlatko Dalić's men at this year's tournament in Russia.
Viduka's family are of Croatian origin and moved Down Under in the 1960's.
While Modric, who is ten years younger than his cousin, was born in Zadar in the Socialist Republic of Croatia, then a republic within Yugoslavia, before Croatia claimed independence in 1991.