OlyBet has entered into an agreement with Real Madrid and Croatia national team midfielder Luka Modrić, in a Balkans-facing marketing partnership.

The deal will focus on driving localised marketing campaigns whilst also containing a fan engagement element, allowing the player’s followers to interact with him in person via social media. 

“OlyBet was born in very similar circumstances,” said Corey Plummer, Chairman and CEO of OlyBet and Olympic Entertainment Group. “Established in a smaller European nation, in Estonia, with big ambitions and a competitive spirit. 

“Luka represents a lot of these values about our brand; he is very competitive, has lots of passion for sports and passion for excellence – this is a great combination with our brand.”

OlyBet has further detailed ambitions to create a ’new form of participation in sports’ by combining sports entertainment and news through its OlyBet TV platform as well as offering betting markets.

Explaining his motivation for entering into an agreement with the online betting and casino operator, remarked: “I decided to partner with OlyBet because they are a very ambitious brand all over Europe and I am also ambitious as a person. I like to work with brands that have high goals that strive for excellence and OlyBet is one of those.”

As a player, Modrić has won four UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid in addition to lifting two La Liga national trophies, but the FIFA World Cup title eluded him in 2018 when France claimed the victory in the final.

In a marketing release on the OlyBet TV YouTube channel, the player was asked a tricky question – would he exchange his Champions League medals for the chance to win the World Cup with his national team?

“Not all, but probably some I would change to win the World Cup with Croatia, but not all,” the midfielder replied, whilst Plummer joked that it would probably take ‘10 or more’ OlyBet employees to compete against their new partner in a game of football.