Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks has revealed that Luka Modric is one of his heroes and he is eager to emulate the Croatian's playing style.
Modric was at White Hart Lane between 2008 and 2012 before earning a move to Real Madrid, where he has made his name as one of the top midfielders in the world.
Winks, who has established himself in the Spurs first team, went head to head with the 32-year-old at the Bernabeu on October 17 as the North Londoners claimed a 1-1 draw in their Champions League group game.
"Luka Modric was one of my heroes," the 21-year-old told Sky Sports News. "I saw him training when I was U15s and U16s but never actually got the chance to train with him. It was a little bit surreal lining up next to him in the tunnel.
"He is somebody I would love to emulate, his playing style. I'm not the tallest - neither is he - so his style is something I look up to. He seems like a great guy off the pitch too, that's something all the lads that have played with him have said."
Winks is expected to start for Spurs as they face Manchester United in Saturday's early Premier League kickoff.