Luka Modric: “I love Cristiano Ronaldo. He is doing a great job with the Portugal national team. Besides Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva is another player I like, he suits my style.”

“Playing at the 2026 World Cup? It’s still a long way away and at my age it’s difficult to plan ahead. My initial goal is to do well in the Nations League, then we’ll see. I can’t confirm anything because the future is so far away. I don’t know if it’s realistic at my age, I have to listen to my body and see how I feel.”

“I’m proud and happy that I’m still here, that the coach still wants me and that my teammates in the national team are also happy to see me and that’s why I’m still here and I believe that I can still contribute to the team, I’m here to do whatever is asked of me.”

Luka Modric speaks ahead of Croatia’s Nations League clash with Portugal tonight.

He may not be starting many games for Real Madrid at the moment, but Luka Modrić is still going strong from the whistle for Croatia. The midfield maestro captained the Croats in their UEFA Nations League qualifier against Portugal. The home side were captained by none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, and it was he who would leave the happier man – after scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 win for Portugal. Luka had an average game, being unable to make his mark on proceedings.

One to forget for the Real Madrid star. Modrić will want to bounce back fast though, as his side play Poland at home in three days time. Did you watch the game? What did you think about the performance of our man?