Croatian midfielder Luka Modric and star Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo have shaped their era at Real Madrid as a congenial duo. From 2012 to 2018, two key players helped the Royals win the Champions League four times. On Friday, the veterans will meet with their teams at the 2026 World Cup.
When two players complement each other almost perfectly, football is often called “blind understanding.” In the case of midfield genius Luka Modric and striker exceptional Cristiano Ronaldo, this is more than just a phrase. During their six years together at Spain’s top club Real Madrid, the duo scored countless goals. The scheme was almost always the same: pass Modric deep, receive and finish Ronaldo.
The duo also harmonized off the field.
Together with Real Madrid they won two championships and cups, as well as four premier class titles. When Ronaldo moved to Juventus in Italy in 2018, he told Modric: “It’s an honor to share so many moments with you.”
Words of great gratitude to an outstanding teammate. And also the words with which the striker wanted to express his gratitude to Luka Modric as a person. The duo not only played well on the field, but also got along well off it.
On Friday evening (1:00 CEST, live and audio on Sportschau.de), two former Real Madrid giants will clash in the World Cup round of 16 when Portugal v Croatia takes place in Toronto. This means that either 40-year-old Modric or Ronaldo, who is a year older, will most likely play his last game at the World Cup.
Modric impressed at the World Cup, Ronaldo only in the match with Uzbekistan
At the end of the autumn of their great careers, the two captains of their national teams are on completely different paths. While Modric has continued to play at a high European level in an AC Milan shirt since his departure from Real Madrid last year, Ronaldo has been playing for Al-Nasr since 2023 in the Saudi Pro League, which is comparatively weak in terms of football. It’s one thing for the Portuguese to keep a stash or two for rainy times in the desert. From a sporting perspective, adventure in Saudi Arabia doesn’t seem to be particularly good for the man from Funchal.
CR7’s performances at the World Championships among three countries still have room for improvement, to put it mildly. Well, the captain scored twice in a 5-0 win over tournament newcomers Uzbekistan, who were only partially competitive. But in draws with Congo (1:1) and Colombia (0:0), the 41-year-old football player was practically a foreign body in the Portuguese national team.
The debate over his added value to the 2016 European champion is now once again defining the “deciduous forest” in his homeland. Tenor: At the very least, national team coach Roberto Martinez should seriously consider giving his captain a break. But until now, the 52-year-old football player has defiantly stood in front of Ronaldo, who, in turn, silently disappeared into the catacombs after a goalless match with Colombia.
Legend of France Henry Adelt Modric
“We will continue together,” the attacker later wrote on Instagram. But, of course, such a generalization could not dispel doubts about the strength of Portugal. Moreover, the Iberians now have to face the Croats, who have gradually improved since their first defeat to England with a score of 4:2. Coach Zlatko Dalic’s team did not produce football fireworks against Panama (1:0) and Ghana (2:1), but were able to impress with their structured and compact play.
“True greatness has no expiration date.”
TV expert Thierry Henry on Luka Modric
Modric once again became the leader and heart of the team. The captain played “like a 20-year-old” and praised Petar Sučić, the scorer of the 1-0 goal, a veteran of the game against Ghana who actually raced around the pitch like a youngster. The best example: in stoppage time, the 40-year-old footballer unexpectedly came to the rescue in the left-back position. “He still decides World Cup matches, radiates magic and proves time and time again that class never gets old,” former France international Thierry Henry said of the veteran as a Fox Sports pundit.
“The younger generation must study it. Football intelligence is timeless. Legends do not disappear, they leave history behind. Every pass, every pass and every game he plays writes a new chapter in a career that will never be forgotten,” Henry said: “True greatness has no expiration date.”
Mutual appreciation in real time
They will undoubtedly sign this statement in distant Madrid if they remain at Real Madrid. From 2012 to 2025, Modric was the conductor of the Royal. During this period, the Croatian played 597 official matches for the Spaniards, scoring 43 goals and giving 95 assists. The brilliant playmaker was involved in countless other goals. Ronaldo also benefited from his vision and accurate passing over the course of six years.
Luka Modric (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo during a game together at Real Madrid.
The relationship between the two superstars was characterized by great mutual respect. Modric has often admired the intensity of Ronaldo’s training, his mentality and his desire for excellence. The Portuguese, for his part, was impressed by the Croatian’s intelligence and humble demeanor.
The extent of the striker’s appreciation for his butler goal was shown when Modric was named Footballer of the World in 2018, beating the dominance of Lionel Messi and Ronaldo at the Ballon d’Or. The Portuguese publicly congratulated the midfielder, and Modric later gave him flowers in return as a compliment. According to the director, Ronaldo played a major role in making all Real Madrid players improve.
Captain of Croatia: “Another tournament begins now”
Now this is their third fight on the big stage. Ronaldo celebrated the first – on the way to the 2016 European champion title, Portugal beat Croatia in extra time in the 1/8 finals. In 2018, Modric excelled for Vatreni as they finished second at the World Cup.
Luka Modric (left) in a duel with Cristiano Ronaldo (right) at Euro 2016
And this time? The previous performances of both teams at the world tournament speak rather in favor of Croatia’s victory.
“But now another tournament begins,” Modric raised a warning finger after the game against Ghana. The 40-year-old knows all too well from their time together in Madrid that Ronaldo is always at his best when setbacks really push him on.