Milan hero Modric presents Kane with special gift before England 2-1 Croatia

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 12: Harry Kane of England poses for a photo with Luka Modric of Croatia after being presented with a gift on the occasion of his 126th cap, becoming England Men’s highest capped player before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between England and Croatia at Wembley Stadium on November 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Milan midfielder Luka Modric congratulated England’s Harry Kane for the Ballon d’Or victory with a truly special gift, a replica of the first football taken to Croatia by an Englishman in 1880.

The Nations League match at Wembley Stadium on Thursday saw England beat Croatia 2-1, despite a goal from Inter midfielder Petar Sucic.

Modric marks Kane achievement

Before kick-off, there were several initiatives to celebrate Kane’s achievement of winning the Ballon d’Or as best player of the year for 2026.

That included Milan’s Modric presenting him with a replica of the moment the Beautiful Game was first introduced to Croatia, the football brought to the country by English industrialists in 1990.

It was handed over by Modric, himself a Ballon d’Or winner in 2018, and who since last season has been continuing his playing career in Italy with Milan.

The replica ball used the same materials as in 1880, and as luck would have it, that means it is in Milan colours of red and black.

Speaking after the match, Modric also summed up Kane’s career.