Luka Modric has known all kinds of emotions throughout his exemplary career, including the climax of winning six European Cups with Real Madrid after a collection of unspeakable matches and comebacks. But nothing is comparable to what … what he feels when he puts on the checkered shirt. Difficult to understand for Spanish fans, traditionally much more fans of the clubs than the national team, but indisputable in a people as nationalistic as the Croatians.
With glassy eyes after the incredible roller coaster with a dramatic ending against Italy, Modric assumed that he is facing the most difficult dilemma of his sporting career. A long time ago he decided to remain active and continue playing for the white club, where Carlo Ancelotti has taught him to also enjoy a secondary role on the pitch, but now he faces a huge dilemma: continue or not continue playing with his national team.
«I love Croatia, I love playing for my country, but I have to reflect on what is best first with myself, then with my family and also with all the people around me. Now I will go on vacation for a few days and I will think about it carefully, I can’t say anything else at this moment because I don’t know what is going to happen. That was Modric’s reflection, assuming an elimination of Croatia that was not yet mathematical.
What there is no doubt about is that we are facing the last Euro Cup of the greatest exponent of the best generation of Croatia, silver in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where the Real Madrid player was elected Ballon d’Or, and bronze in the last World Cup of Taste. He has played in 178 games and 26 goals with chess since he made his debut at the age of 20 in a friendly with a victory against Argentina (3-2) played in Switzerland. And one more record, at least until one of these days his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo explodes and takes it away from him. Modric is, at 38 years and 289 days, the oldest scorer in the history of the tournament.
Temporary withdrawal?
Initially, his idea was to continue until the World Cup, which will take place two years from now in the United States, Mexico and Canada, but at this moment he seems to be more inclined to take a step back. The criticism received in his own nation after the severe defeat against Spain and the draw against Albania makes him reconsider and think if it is worth the effort. He has also been upset that coach Zlatko Dalic is accused of giving him the title because he feels indebted to him. There is also the possibility that Luka will choose to rest for two years and return to say goodbye to football definitively at a World Cup.
Modric experienced the craziest moments of his career against the ‘Azzurra’. During the match, he put the team on his shoulders and spent the entire Croatian game under his boots. At 54 minutes, after a VAR review, a penalty for a handball by Frattesi. He took responsibility, but threw his cards to Donnarumma weak, low and showing too much. Far from sinking, seconds later he retaliated against the PSG goalkeeper. As a battering ram, Modric collected a rebound and did not forgive with his left foot. Celebrated, he cried with emotion. With ten to go, completely exhausted, he was replaced. Without the great little captain on the pitch, in the last play came the stab from Mattia Zaccagni, a Lazio player who took away his hero’s suit, sealed Italy’s qualification, which will also face an accessible Switzerland in the round of 16, and sank in misery to the Croats. Brutal contrast of emotions in Leipzig.
«Football is sometimes cruel. It was demonstrated again. We didn’t deserve to concede that goal, I don’t know where the referee came up with eight minutes to extend,” lamented Modric, who received the saddest MVP trophy from him. The fine midfielder from Zadar is aware of his compatriots’ dramatic story in added time. In this tournament, they had already tied against Albania because of a goal by Gjasula in the 95th minute. It is the first time in a European Championship that the same team has missed two victories in stoppage time.
Unprecedented tribute
Modric, applauded by his compatriots in the press room, experienced another unique moment that made all of us present have goosebumps. An Italian journalist took the floor and launched into this monologue: “Good evening, Luka. I wanted to thank you for everything you have done today (yesterday) and in your career. Once again, you have shown that you are a world-class player. I wanted to tell you not to ever retire because you are one of the most entertaining players I have ever commented on. Thank you.” Modric, visibly moved again, had a hard time articulating his response: “Thank you for this wonderful tribute from the bottom of my heart. I also want to keep playing forever, but the time will probably come to hang up my boots. I will keep playing as much as possible…”
Certainly, the history of the cruelty that persecutes the chess players in the Europeans goes back in time. Three years ago, goals by Morata and Oyarzabal in extra time certified their elimination in the round of 16. Something similar to what happened in 2016, when a goal from the Portuguese Quaresma in the final minutes of extra time left the Balkans out of combat also in the first crossing. In the 2012 contest it was not necessary to go to extension but almost; Croatia ended its journey in the group stage due to a goal from Jesús Navas two minutes from time. In the World Cups everything is different.
