“He makes the whole nation explode with pride.”published at 23:32 Moscow time
Portugal – Croatia (00:00 BST)
Neil Johnston
BBC Sport at Toronto Stadium
I spoke to Portugal and Croatia fans outside the stadium about how this is the last World Cup game for Cristiano Ronaldo or Luka Modric.
Portugal fan João told me that Ronaldo “came and made us dream.”
“We haven’t had anyone on the world stage since Eusebio,” he adds. “Cristiano put us on the map.”
Anthony said Ronaldo “turned Portugal from nothing to something. With a population of 11 million, we are now recognized all over the world thanks to Ronaldo.”
Speaking about Modric, Michelle summed up her feelings. “You see him on the field and he makes the whole nation burst with pride.
“He makes every child, boy and girl, want to be a football superstar. We love him.”
And Renaud added of the Croatia captain: “I’ll be sad and emotional when Modric retires. But I’m also going to say ‘thank you for everything, Luka’.”
Image Source, BBC Sport
Image Source, BBC Sport