In the early hours of December 14, Croatia's match against Argentina finally came to an end. Croatia failed to drag the game into their penalty shoot-out, losing to Argentina.
Although the match was not won, Croatia, led by Modric, have achieved excellent results in two consecutive World Cups and they have indeed done their best.
Croatian captain Modric is a central figure in the team and a veteran of the World Cup. In this World Cup, he is not old, every game is his best, every game is sweat. When Modric was substituted, he won the applause of Argentine fans and the respect of the world.
I believe many people have heard of the names of the peerless double Messi and Ronaldo, but Luka Modric is also a name that cannot be ignored in football.
If Messi and Ronaldo are the ceiling of the striker, then Modric is the ceiling of the midfield.
Luka Modric was born in Croatia in 1985. During his childhood, Croatia was in the midst of civil strife and his grandfather died in the midst of war. Therefore, as a child, Modric has been living a difficult life.
The BBC made a documentary in which there was a scene of a child herding sheep, and that child was Modric as a child. At a young age, he needs to take on some responsibilities for his family.
Childhood experiences have tempered Modric's tenacity and contributed greatly to his success on the football field.
He once said: "The difficulties I experienced in childhood inspired me, my achievements are also obtained through continuous efforts, I will work hard for everything, do not want to have any failure, this is related to my experience as a child, and it has also created my current personality!" ”
Early life experience
In his early years, Modric did not expect to develop in football all the time. Modric, who is not tall, even thought about giving up his football career for this reason.
At the end of 2001, at the age of 16, Modric officially began his career with Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb. Just 5 years later, Modric was quickly called up to the national team with his outstanding performances and has been playing for the national team ever since.
In March 2006, Modric made his international debut in a friendly against Argentina. On 29 August 2016, Modric became captain of the Croatian national team. Two years later, at the World Cup in Russia, Modric led the team to play "Croatian Rhapsody" on the green field, all the way to the final.
Dark horse true colors
Before the opening of the 2018 World Cup, no one expected that a small Croatia would eventually reach the final, just one step away from the Hercules Cup.
If you ask where did Croatia start to show its dark horse in 2018? That had to be the one against Argentina in the group stage.
Since the beginning of this match, Croatia have overcome difficulties all the way, picking Iceland, Denmark, Russia and England to win the runner-up.
In this so-called iron army, Modric is undoubtedly the soul of the whole team. Modric's excellent midfield organisation, broad view of the big picture and precision in timing all helped the team a lot. And more important is the spirit of Modric, he has played 100% strength in every game, dares to fight and never gives up. It was Modric's tenacity and hard work that enabled Croatia to achieve such a superior result at the 2018 World Cup.
It was also in 2018 that "The Magic Flute" Modric was successfully elected World Footballer of the Year, breaking the 10-year monopoly of Messi and Ronaldo on the title. At the same time, he also won the Ballon d'Or and UEFA Player of the Year, successfully achieving a Grand Slam of individual honors.
world cup
When the 37-year-old Modric once again led the team to the World Cup, every fan was eager to see Modric's outstanding performance again and lead the Plaid Army all the way through. Because this will be Modric's last World Cup.
Today's Croatian national team is at a critical moment in the transition between old and new. The squad is too old compared to 2018, and the young players have not fully grown. Modric has to stabilize the strength of the team and develop young people, which can be considered a heavy responsibility.
In Croatia against Japan, Modric was substituted in the 98th minute. The veteran of 16 years with the national team, his abundant physical strength cannot resist the erosion of time. At that moment, I thought that Croatia would stop there...
However, Croatia did not fail. They didn't just beat Japan. They then managed to beat Brazil in the quarter-finals to reach the semifinals.
Although they lost to Argentina, they defeated themselves. Maybe Modric is no longer young, maybe not as strong as he used to be, but his spirit will never change. He is still so persistent, he is still creating all the impossible, defeating his opponents and defeating himself in adversity. This is also Luka Modric's greatest asset to the national team.
When the sun kisses his fertile soil, when the wind blows his oaks, when God calls away his love, his heart still beats for Croatia... This is exactly what Modric can best portray.