• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
So many Argentina fans gave Luka Modric a standing ovation as he left the pitch, he deserved it

Home> Football

Updated 23:20 13 Dec 2022 GMTPublished 23:11 13 Dec 2022 GMT

So many Argentina fans gave Luka Modric a standing ovation as he left the pitch, he deserved it

The Croatian midfielder received a standing ovation in what is expected to be his final World Cup game.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Luka Modric, one of the best midfielders of his generation, received a standing ovation from both Argentina and Croatia fans as he left the pitch on Tuesday night.

The 37-year-old midfielder, who has made 160 appearances for Croatia since making his debut against Argentina in 2006, says he won't retire after this winter's tournament.

“No, I won't leave the national team," he said while out in Qatar. "I feel very fit, very good and I'll stay here until I can. There's no reason to retire. It's my choice.

Advert

"People say I should leave and focus on club football. I don't agree.”

Despite playing down rumours about his international future, Modric received a spine-tingling ovation from all corners of the Lusail Stadium as he left the field during Croatia's semi-final defeat to Argentina.

As soon as the official held up their substitute board, a large section of fans decided to put their hands together for Modric, who looked emotional as he walked towards the subs bench.

Advert

Lovro Majer replaced Croatia's number ten and plenty soon took to social media to wax lyrically about the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner.

Here's some of the best reaction.

One fan said: "Modric wins and he’s the first to commiserate. Modric loses and he’s the first to congratulate. A class act," while another commented: "Modric off. What a career he's had. A World Cup final and a World Cup semifinal. One of the best ever.

Advert

A third wrote: "Damn. Luka Modric going off for possibly the last time. What a giant of the game. Amazing talent and engine, and was critical in driving Croatia to one World Cup final and then a semifinal in the next one."

A fourth commented: "Incredible what Luka Modric has done for Croatia at World Cups. It’s not a 1 man show but his performances & leadership definitely inspired them to that 2018 final and this semi-final. A country with a population of 4 million too! Modric’s midfield genius has been a joy to watch."

Image credit: Alamy
Image credit: Alamy

Modric, meanwhile, said he wants Lionel Messi to lift the World Cup trophy on Sunday as France or Morocco await.

Advert

“Congratulations and I wish good luck in the final to Messi," he said in his post-match interview. "He is having an amazing tournament and he’s showing his greatness."

A class act, both on and off the pitch.

Modric's journey to the World Cup and beyond has been tough, to say the least.

At the age of six, his life was rocked to the core when his grandfather was shot dead by Serb rebels close to his home.

Advert

Modric and his family would soon move into a refugee hotel in the coastal town of Zadar, a place where war was still ongoing, after their house was burned down.

In the coming years, he would live in a warzone and grow up to the sound of grenades exploding as the Croatian War of Independence escalated.

In those years, thousands of bombs fell on the city but football was a way to escape the reality of war.

A spokesman for the Kolovare Hotel, where Modric lived as a youngster, once said via The Daily Mail, "He had broken more glass on the hotel windows than what the bombs had hit. He was playing non-stop football all around the hotel halls."

Image credit: Alamy
Image credit: Alamy

Football also had its obstacles. Coaches said he was 'too weak and shy' to play football but as we all know, his career fledged into something rather special.

After a breakthrough year in Croatia in 2005, Modric bought his family a flat in Zadar with his earnings and soon became one of the club's best players.

Three years later, Modric signed for Premier League side Tottenham and the rest is history.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@adriandelmonte/@3dnan_RMA

Topics: Luka Modric, Croatia, Argentina, Football World Cup

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack is a Senior Journalist who enjoys a long read. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day, and has interviewed a handful of FM's finest, including Freddy Adu, Supat Rungratsamee and Mika Aaritalo.

X

@jackkenmare_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
3 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • 2 hours ago

    Ex-Chelsea wonderkid tipped to be 'football's next big thing' announces shock retirement from football

    The player made seven appearances for Chelsea and was once compared to Eden Hazard.

    Football
  • 3 hours ago

    Alexander Isak 'cut price tag' revealed as Liverpool deal with Newcastle 'in play'

    The Newcastle United forward has attracted interest from several top clubs this summer.

    Football
  • 5 hours ago

    Xabi Alonso has found the new Luka Modric for Real Madrid and it could be the signing of the summer

    The Real Madrid boss could be set to replace the veteran midfielder, who will leave the club later this summer.

    Football
  • 5 hours ago

    Odds slashed on Lionel Messi's next club as clear favourite emerges after huge news drops on Inter Miami star's future

    Lionel Messi has been linked with a move away from Inter Miami.

    Football
  • Xabi Alonso has found the new Luka Modric for Real Madrid and it could be the signing of the summer
  • Luka Modric approached over joining unexpected club and the midfielder 'didn't say no' as details emerge
  • Luka Modric snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when naming his ultimate six-a-side team
  • Luka Modric has already shared his thoughts on Lionel Messi GOAT debate amid Inter Miami transfer rumours