Luka Modric has always carried himself with a quiet grace, both on and off the pitch. His recent investment in Swansea City , a bold move to bolster Welsh football, has sparked renewed interest in his deep ties to Wales' greatest footballing icon, Gareth Bale . The pair, who forged a formidable partnership at both Tottenham and Real Madrid , will go down as two of the greatest players of their generation - having battled a heap of unjust scrutiny and criticism to cement their respective legacies. After being voted La Liga's worst signing of the season in 2013, Modric bounced back to become the most decorated player in Los Blancos history. Bale, meanwhile, was regularly lambasted for seemingly prioritising Wales - and golf - over his club, despite being one of Real's best and most consistent performers. But the wing wizard found a steadfast ally in Modric, whose loyalty and admiration for Bale has never wavered. Their story began at Spurs, where Modric's pinpoint passes fed Bale's blistering runs down the left flank. "We played some great football," the Croatian said in 2023. In 2012, Madrid snapped Modric up for £30million, and a year later they paid a world record £86m to secure Bale's signature. Together, the duo conquered Europe, ending the club's 12-year wait for 'La Decima' (their 10th Champions League title) in 2014, before winning the competition a further four times as team-mates. Bale scored winning goals in two of the finals, including a jaw-dropping bicycle kick against Liverpool in 2018. But fans and local media outlets were unimpressed by his aloofness, his limited Spanish, and his apparent fixation on Wales and hitting the fairways - something which stopped him becoming a bona fide Madrid legend in the eyes of the supporters. Modric, however, sees things a little differently. "For me he's always going to be remembered as a player who did a lot for this team, for this club," he told COPE in 2020. "A lot of things have been said, but Gareth never had any issue with anyone in the dressing room, he's a wonderful guy. "He's a little bit shy, his personality is very similar to mine. What has been said about him lately is not fair, maybe he's judged for the last few years, but what he did in Madrid is extraordinary... What he achieved here, people need to respect that." Eventually, Bale gave up trying to win the fans over and leant into the scrutiny. While on international duty in 2019, he famously posed next to a Wales flag emblazoned with the words 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order' , which not only rankled the Los Blancos faithful, but the club's hierarchy too. Despite being somewhat stuck in the middle, Modric refused to join the chorus of detractors, and instead declared an admiration for Bale's commitment to his Welsh roots. "He's one of the best players in Real Madrid's history. People shouldn't forget what he's done," the Croatian insisted a few months later. For Welsh fans, Modric's never-ending support has always been appreciated. Bale, who retired in 2023, is a national hero, having led the country to historic heights, including the 2016 Euros semi-finals. His 111 caps and 41 goals are a testament not only to his ability but to his devotion, and Modric's words serve as a reminder of the respect Bale, 35, commanded among peers. Such is his admiration for the forward that he agreed to go golfing with him a few years ago - but later admitted he doesn't fancy a second round. "I played with him once... never again," Modric chuckled in a 2023 interview with The Times . "He's a bad teacher! Maybe Gareth teaches me bad and that's why I gave up." Modric is still going strong at Real Madrid, despite approaching his 40th birthday. But after buying a minority stake in Swansea this month, it seems he has at least one eye on retirement. Whether his decision to invest in a famous Welsh institution was Bale-inspired remains to be seen, but at the very least, it signals a nod to his friend and former colleague, and the passion he has for his homeland. Modric's unwavering, heartfelt support for Bale over the years reveals the measure of both men. And as the Swans look to a brighter future with the Ballon d'Or winner on board, Welsh fans can take pride in knowing that one of football's finest has always had their hero's back.