Luka Modric FaceTimes 6-year-old Ukrainian boy who lost parents in Russian invasion

Daniel Brown

Incredibly wholesome from Modric

Luka Modric FaceTimed a 6-year-old Ukrainian boy who lost both of his parents in the Russian invasion after Shakhtar Donetsk got in touch with the Real Madrid midfielder.

Ilya Kostushevych tragically lost both his mother and father after they were killed during the Russian attacks on the city of Maripol, where he lived with his family.

He has since been staying with Volodymyr and Maria Bespaliy, a Ukrainian couple who fled Slovyansk. The couple have since offered to adopt him as their son.

“I explained to him that there is a war going on, a cruel war,” Maria Bespaliy told Radio Free Europe.

“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.”

Earlier this week, the brave youngster was treated to a touching surprise when Shakhtar legend Darijo Srna, who is now working as the club’s director of football, spent time with him.

As well as this, Srna also arranged for a phone call from his Croatian compatriot Modric. The Madrid star spoke with the young boy, and the footage of the pair chatting has since gone viral on social media.

https://twitter.com/FCShakhtar/status/1543211864401874945

Modric was forced to flee his home when he was young after it was burned down, with the Croatian becoming a refugee. With the war still going on in his country, he grew up hearing grenades in the warzone.

“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.