One of the more poignant moments on a night full of moving scenes came not on the football field but in a cramped room inside Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena. An Italian journalist took the mic and made more of a request to Luka Modric rather than asking him a question in the post-match press conference. “I’d like to ask you,” he began, “to never retire from your playing career because you are one of the finest players I have ever commentated on, thank you.
” His eyes still red from crying after Croatia drew with Italy, a result that all but knocked them out of Euros, Modric at last smiled. Advertisement He winked at the journalist and replied: “I’d also like to keep playing forever but there probably will come a time when I have to hang up my boots..
.” This was a truly beautiful moment in the post-match press conference ❤️ #BBCEuros #Euro2024 #CROITA pic.twitter.
com/K8VowAgm7m — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 24, 2024 If that time is now, if this is the last time we see Modric in the famous chequered Croatia shirt, there wouldn’t be a more heartbreaking farewell. Like they have done in tournament football for the last six years, Croatia were coming out on top in a scrappy, stuttering tie. Neither they nor Italy had been particularly good in the group stage finale.
But Modric – who else – had been the difference between the two sides. Croatia had to win this one to progress out of the group, after being outclassed by Spain and frustrated by Albania. Briefly,.
