Thursday night featured a scintillating World Cup Round of 32 match, with Cristiano Ronaldo helping Portugal win 2-1 against Luka Modric and Croatia, in what was setting up to be the final appearance for either star on this stage.
One of the major stories throughout the matchup was that Modric and Ronaldo are highly likely to retire from World Cup appearances after this year’s event. Modric is 40, while Ronaldo is 41, making it hard to imagine they’d continue playing another event like this in four years.
In the crucial game, Croatia appeared to have tied things up late in the matchup, but their goal was disallowed after review, which frustrated fans and the Croatian players, including Modric. Extra time arrived in the game due to the controversial call, and players conversed with the referee or one another.
Following the game, Ronaldo comforted his former Real Madrid teammate in what was likely his final World Cup match. Camera crews circled the two international superstars in the powerful moment as their shared a brief chat and hug.
Modric and Ronaldo played at Real Madrid from 2012 to 2018. They appeared in 222 games and won four UEFA Champions League titles as teammates.
“No matter the result on the pitch, the brotherhood stays forever. Modric and Ronaldo is a legendary duo,” one fan commented on a post showing the moment between the two soccer stars.
Another commented, “Legendary, what a matchup, what a game of football, what a masterful performance tonight, none of you deserve to be on the losing side, but then a winner jas to emerge after all. Thanks for the memories GOAT’S.”
“You can see it on Modric face he knows they were robbed, all the best legend,” an X commenter wrote.
“Croatia deserves to win this game but I’m sorry modric this is bigger than football better luck next time,” someone wrote.
This was Modric’s fifth World Cup appearance for Croatia, who have never won the massive event. During his appearances, Modric has 19 goals, won the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup, and the 2022 Bronze Ball.
Croatia finished as the runner-up team in 2018, losing to Kylian Mbappe and France in the final. In 2022, they finished third-best in the tournament.
With a controversial disallowed goal bringing a loss in Modric’s potential final appearance, this seemed like a huge farewell moment for one of soccer’s greats on the international stage.