‘Grateful’ Luka Modric has a humbling response to Italian journalist asking him to never retire after Croatia’s Euros exit

Luka Modric's possible last major international tournament ended in heartbreak.

‘Grateful’ Luka Modric has a humbling response to Italian journalist asking him to never retire after Croatia’s Euros exit

Luka Modric was left emotional after a journalist urged him to never retire. (via IMAGO)

Croatian star Luka Modric was left teary-eyed, as he responded to the plea of an Italian journalist who asked him to never retire from football. The 2024 Euros will likely be the 38-year old midfielder’s last international tournament with the national team.

The Real Madrid icon was left disappointed after Croatia failed to win against Italy in Leipzig. A late equalizer by Italian forward Mattia Zaccagni greatly reduced Croatia’s chances of advancing to the knockout stage. The draw meant that Croatia finished their Group B campaign in third position. A distraught Luka Modric, while speaking to the press after the match, hinted at his possible retirement from the national team.

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The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner expressed his desire to play indefinitely but acknowledged the eventual need to retire upon being urged by Italian journalist Francesco Repice to never retire. The moment left the player visibly emotional, as the other press members applauded the plea. Repice also added that the 38-year old star is one of the finest players he’s commented on.

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I'd also like to keep playing forever but there probably will come a time when I have to hang up my boots. I'll keep playing on, I don't know for how much longer but thank you very much for your words. Grazie!
Luka Modric to Italian journalist Francesco Repice (via The Guardian)

Despite his poor performance at this year’s Euros, Modric has achieved legendary status in football having led Croatia to a runner-up and a third-place finish in the last two World Cups. He might soon retire from the national team, following in the footsteps of his fellow Real Madrid star Toni Kroos.

Luka Modric becomes the oldest player to score at the European Championship

In what might be his final appearance for his country, Croatian midfielder Luka Modric broke records by becoming the oldest player to score at the European Championship. At 38 years and 289 days, he scored a brilliant goal against Italy in the 55th minute of the match in Leipzig.

Luka Modric oldest goalscorer
Luka Modric became the oldest goal-scorer at the Euros. (via IMAGO)

Despite his age, the veteran Real Madrid midfielder keeps on producing moments of magic and talent. Croatia had an excellent opportunity to score first with a penalty in the 54th minute, but Modric’s shot was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma. However, just 33 seconds later, the Croatian skipper scored from close range after reacting quickly to the goalkeeper’s save from Ante Budimir.

With this goal, Modric became the oldest scorer in the Euros, overtaking Austria’s Ivica Vastic, who was 38 years and 257 days old when he scored at Euro 2008.

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