• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Luka Modric FaceTimes 6-Year-Old Ukrainian Boy Who Lost Both Parents In Russian Invasion

Home> Football

Published 09:05 4 Jul 2022 GMT+1

Luka Modric FaceTimes 6-Year-Old Ukrainian Boy Who Lost Both Parents In Russian Invasion

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric called Ilya, a 6-year-old from Mariupol, in a wholesome gesture.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Luka Modric has shown his class by FaceTiming a 6-year-old Ukrainian boy who lost both his parents in the Russian invasion.

Ilya Kostushevych, a huge Shakhtar Donetsk fan, is living with the most unimaginable pain after both his mother and father were killed in the Russian attacks on the city of Maripol, where he lived with his family.

The tragic events have left him orphaned but the youngster, brave as ever, is still smiling.

Advert

And he was treated to a wonderful surprise this week. Shakhtar legend Darijo Srna, now working as the club's director of football, spent time with Ilya.

He arranged for a phone call from his Croatian compatriot Luka Modric, one of the best midfielders in world football and a Ballon d'Or win in 2018.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

The Real Madrid star, fresh from winning yet another Champions League, chatted with the boy and the video uploaded online is incredibly wholesome.

Advert

Ilya has been staying with Volodymyr and Maria Bespaliy, a Ukrainian couple who fled Slovyansk.

They have offered to adopt him as their son after creating a special bond.

"I explained to him that there is a war going on, a cruel war," Maria told rferl.org.

"Unfortunately things like that happen. I said, 'You are not alone, we have taken you and we will take care of you. We will love you and we'll be your family if you want. We'll be your mum and dad. Your mother and father are in heaven. They look down on you and are happy."

Advert

Modric can relate to Ilya's story. When he was at the very same age, his grandfather, along with six other civilians, was shot by Serb rebels on his doorstep.

With their house burned down, the family had to move into the Kolovare Hotel in Zadar and became refugees.

But the war was still going on there and a young Modric grew up hearing grenades in the warzone.

Advert

"War never brings anything good to anyone," Modric told The Guardian.

"I wrote that at that moment. After it, I don’t have any hate towards anyone. And that’s it. What happened, happened. It is what it is; it is a pity that he is not with us. Things that aren’t nice happen in war. I don’t have hate or, I don’t know, [other feelings] towards anyone. It is part of life I had to go through.

“These things can make you tougher or can break you. I choose the other way; I choose to become tougher, to create my character."

Featured Image Credit: Image: Shakhtar Donetsk

Topics: Luka Modric, Ukraine, Russia, Real Madrid, Croatia

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Xabi Alonso has found the new Luka Modric for Real Madrid and it could be the signing of the summer
  • Luka Modric approached over joining unexpected club and the midfielder 'didn't say no' as details emerge
  • Real Madrid 'decide replacement' for Luka Modric and it'll be the transfer of the summer if it happens
  • Luka Modric snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when naming his ultimate six-a-side team

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
6 hours ago
8 hours ago
  • 5 hours ago

    Ex-Chelsea wonderkid tipped to be 'football's next big thing' announces shock retirement from football

    The player made seven appearances for Chelsea and was once compared to Eden Hazard.

    Football
  • 6 hours ago

    Alexander Isak 'cut price tag' revealed as Liverpool deal with Newcastle 'in play'

    The Newcastle United forward has attracted interest from several top clubs this summer.

    Football
  • 8 hours ago

    Xabi Alonso has found the new Luka Modric for Real Madrid and it could be the signing of the summer

    The Real Madrid boss could be set to replace the veteran midfielder, who will leave the club later this summer.

    Football
  • 8 hours ago

    Odds slashed on Lionel Messi's next club as clear favourite emerges after huge news drops on Inter Miami star's future

    Lionel Messi has been linked with a move away from Inter Miami.

    Football