Regarded as one of the greatest PSL players of the modern era today, Modise's career began in the lower leagues of South African football with Ria Stars and City Pillars.

During his time with the latter, he won the Mvela Golden League Player of the Season award, which earned him a move to top-flight side SuperSport United in 2006.

[4] During his formative years that followed, he played for local amateur sides Coventry and City Rebels before joining Ria Stars at the age of seventeen.

[3][8] Modise's local success caught the attention of a number of foreign clubs and in the off-season he was linked with a move to Premier League sides Aston Villa, Man City and Wigan.

[9] Modise had no buyout clause in his contract, however, and the club refused to sell him, resulting in his relationship with coach Ruud Krol and chairman Irvin Khoza souring in the two year's that followed.

[10][11] Following Pirates' decision to discipline Modise, speculation was rife that he would leave the club, and on 27 January 2011 he signed for rivals Mamelodi Sundowns.

He was stripped of the armband for the following campaign in favour of Alje Schut but helped the team to the 2013-14 Premier Soccer League trophy, scoring in a 3–0 win over SuperSport United on 8 May 2014 to secure the title.

[15][16][17] Modise ultimately amassed over 150 appearances across all competitions for the club and in his final season was part of the squad which won CAF Champions League, after a 3–1 aggregate win over Egyptian side Zamalek.

[21] He made his debut on 23 August, coming on as a substitute for Mpho Matsi and scoring Cape Town City's third goal in a 3–1 win over Platinum Stars.

[10][24] He was then selected for the 2010 FIFA World Cup which was hosted by South Africa the following, but drew criticism after poor performances in the opening two matches.

[28][29][30] While sponsored by Nike, Modise was one of only ten global stars selected by the sportswear manufacturer to wear a limited edition pink Mercurial SuperFly boot.

[32] In 2016, while playing for Manchester City, Modise became a brand ambassador for motor vehicle manufacturer Volkswagen which saw him receive a 2016 Golf GTI.

The reports nonetheless drew widespread media interest and saw Kenneth Ngobani, a resident of the surrounding township, claim that while he was not Modise's father, he had raised him after his step-father had kicked him out of the home he lived in with his mother.

[37] The following year, Modise was forced to sell his home in the West Rand to a private buyer after he had defaulted on bond payments for a number of months.