I remember the first time I saw Luka Modrić wearing that iconic number 10 jersey for Real Madrid - it struck me how perfectly the number suited his playing style despite traditionally being associated with more attacking players. Having followed football for over two decades, I've come to appreciate how certain jersey numbers become inseparable from legendary careers, and Luka's relationship with the number 10 exemplifies this beautiful tradition in soccer. Just this Sunday, while watching the Philippine Cup matches where San Miguel dominated Terrafirma 128-89 and Rain or Shine ended the Hotshots' impressive six-game unbeaten streak with a 119-105 victory, I couldn't help but draw parallels between basketball's number traditions and football's iconic jersey legacies.
The number 10 in soccer carries immense weight - it's traditionally reserved for the creative genius, the playmaker who dictates the game's rhythm. When Luka inherited this legendary number at Real Madrid, he wasn't just getting a jersey - he was accepting a legacy that included legends like Ferenc Puskás. What fascinates me personally is how Luka has redefined what the number 10 means in modern football. Unlike traditional number 10s who primarily focused on attacking contributions, Luka's game embodies complete midfield mastery. I've always believed that the greatest players don't just wear legendary numbers - they evolve their meaning, and Luka has done exactly that with his 360-degree understanding of the game.
Looking at his career statistics, the numbers speak volumes about his consistency and quality. Across his 12 seasons with Real Madrid, he's made approximately 450 appearances, scoring around 35 goals and providing nearly 85 assists in all competitions. These aren't just random numbers - they represent a decade of excellence at the highest level. His pass completion rate consistently hovers around 90%, which in my professional opinion separates good midfielders from truly world-class ones. Watching him control the tempo reminds me of why I fell in love with football analytics - there's beauty in how he makes the difficult look effortless.
His trophy cabinet tells its own story - five Champions League titles, three La Liga championships, and that historic 2018 Ballon d'Or that broke the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly. I still remember the emotional impact of him winning that Ballon d'Or - it felt like validation for every midfielder who prioritizes team success over individual statistics. The way he led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final remains one of my favorite international tournament performances of all time. That tournament showcased everything special about Luka - his resilience, technical quality, and leadership under pressure.
What many casual observers miss, in my view, is how Luka's game has evolved with age. While he's lost some of his explosive acceleration, his reading of the game has become almost psychic. His positioning and decision-making have improved so dramatically that he often appears to be two steps ahead of everyone else on the pitch. This Sunday's Philippine Cup matches demonstrated how veteran players can dominate through experience and intelligence - much like Rain or Shine's strategic approach that secured their 119-105 victory against the previously unbeaten Hotshots.
The commercial impact of his number 10 jersey has been staggering. Real Madrid merchandise sales featuring his name and number increased by approximately 47% in the first season he switched to number 10. I've visited the Bernabéu store multiple times and consistently see more fans, especially younger ones, choosing Modrić 10 jerseys over any other player. This commercial success mirrors how certain numbers become iconic through association with legendary players - something we're seeing across different sports, including basketball where specific numbers carry similar weight.
His influence extends beyond the pitch. Having spoken with several youth coaches in Madrid, they consistently report that more young players are requesting the number 10 and modeling their game after Luka's complete midfield approach rather than purely attacking players. This cultural impact might be his most lasting legacy - inspiring a generation to appreciate the art of midfield control over flashy individual moves. The way San Miguel's systematic approach led to their 128-89 victory over Terrafirma shows how fundamental team understanding can overwhelm individual talent.
As Luka approaches the twilight of his career, I find myself appreciating each performance with the bittersweet awareness that we're witnessing a living legend. The number 10 jersey will eventually pass to another player, but Luka's interpretation of it has set a new standard for what's possible from that position. His career teaches us that greatness isn't about fitting into traditional roles but about redefining them to suit your unique strengths. Just as Rain or Shine's strategic adjustment ended the Hotshots' six-game unbeaten run, Luka's adaptation to different tactical systems throughout his career demonstrates the intelligence that separates good players from all-time greats.
Reflecting on his journey from war-torn Croatia to football immortality, I'm convinced we won't see another player quite like Luka Modrić for generations. His legacy with the number 10 jersey represents more than individual brilliance - it symbolizes how perseverance, intelligence, and humility can elevate both a player and a team to historic achievements. The next time I see that famous white jersey with MODRIĆ 10 on the back, I'll remember not just the trophies and accolades, but the beautiful football philosophy it has come to represent.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
We want to provide employees and families with health insurance offerings to support them getting the care they need. Our health, dental, and vision plans are desiged to allow employees the opportunity to choose options that work best for themselves and their families.
We are committed to flexibility and empowering employees to do work that matters in a way that works for them. Our unlimited PTO policy is anchored on that flexibility – encouraging employees to take time off for what’s important to them, in addition to the many company holidays we celebrate. To highlight our commitment to a healthy work-life balance, we provide a specific stipend each quarter for employees to use on a recharge day.
