After winning everything in the game with Real Madrid, Modric is now playing in Serie A with AC Milan.
However, Marino admits he came close to signing Modric as an 18 year-old when still with Dinamo Zagreb.
He told La Stampa: "I happened to see Modric, 18, when he was at Dinamo Zagreb. He was unknown. I wanted him at Napoli, but for bureaucratic reasons we couldn't get him.
"Or (Marek) Hamsik: I was intrigued by his technique, so I followed him closely and it was a revelation. I signed him immediately."
On the use of data in scouting now, Marino added: "Data is a tool, it must be used selectively and serves to support the judgment of what I call the 'eye meter', that is, human judgment.
"We need to select the algorithms. In my opinion, data on physical and athletic parameters is important, less so the technical ones."