Luka Modric shares touching moment with journalist who asks him never to retire

An Italian journalist paid a moving tribute to Luka Modric after Croatia were likely knocked out of Euro 2024 by Italy in Leipzig.
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The 38 year-old Croatia captain missed a penalty, but scored shortly afterwards to give Croatia the lead and they were set to qualify for the knockout phase until, with the last kick of the game, Mattia Zaccagni equalised. That put Italy through in second place in Group B on four points behind Spain, with Croatia third on two points.

The journalist said ‘I wanted to thank you for everything that you’ve shown, not only tonight, but throughout your career. Once again, you signed off as a top class player. I’d like to ask you to never retire from your playing career because you’re one of the finest players that I’ve ever commentated on’.

Modric thanked him for the tribute and said in reply ‘right from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. I’d also like to keep playing forever, but there probably will come a time when I have to hang up my boots. I’ll keep playing on. I don’t know for how much longer, but thank you very much for your words.’

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