"Luka Modric and Nikola Vlasic are friends away from the field, but tonight they will be opponents and opposite numbers. Last January, in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Vlasic included Modric in his select pantheon of the greatest. "It's crazy: you can't even try to press him because he never lets you have the ball." An admiration that borders on reverence for the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner."
"For Luka, however, the campaign in Canada, Mexico, and the United States (his fifth World Cup) will likely be his last showcase with the national team. In Croatia, Modric is obviously a legend, and not just for his excellent performance on the pitch. His humility, sense of duty and the leadership with which he inspires his team-mates make him the perfect example of a national hero."
Luka Modric and Nikola Vlasic are friends off the field and will be opponents tonight, serving as opposite numbers on the pitch. Vlasic described Modric as impossible to press and placed him among the greatest, expressing admiration bordering on reverence. The pair have played together 44 times for Croatia, producing one assist each in their shared appearances, with Vlasic scoring the decisive goal in the recent 3-2 win over Montenegro. Vlasic regained form by starting and scoring in the qualifier that sealed World Cup 2026 qualification. Modric, a five-time World Cup participant, will likely make his final national-team showcase, exemplifying quiet leadership, humility, and 34 career trophies.
Read at SempreMilan
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