EURO 2024: Luka Modric to ‘keep playing on’ amid retirement talk
Luka Modric vowed to “keep playing on” amid retirement talks in the aftermath of Croatia’s draw with Italy at EURO 2024 on Monday.
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MODRIC TO ‘KEEP PLAYING ON’ DESPITE CROATIA’S ‘CRUEL’ EURO 2024 DRAW AGAINST ITALY
Modric intends to “keep playing on” after he described as “cruel” Croatia’s 1-1 draw against Italy that hurt their title chances.
The 38-year-old Real Madrid midfielder amid his sentiment over Croatia’s latest result that hurt their chances of advancing in the knockout stages.
“We kept battling right until the end but unfortunately football was merciless with us tonight,” Modric said.
“It was cruel… but that’s part and parcel of football,” he added.
Modric opened the scoring for Croatia in the 55th minute until Mattia Zaccagni responded with the equalizer for Italy in the 98th minute in stoppage time.
MODRIC ADMITS TO ‘HANG IN MY BOOTS’ SOON
Furthermore, Modric also acknowledged that there will come a time when he will leave the sport soon.
“I’d like to keep playing forever but there will be probably be a time I’ll have to hang up my boots,” the veteran midfielder said.
“I’ll keep playing on, I don’t know how much longer,” he added.
Modric, at 38 years old, is currently the oldest goal-scorer in European Championship history after his latest goal.
Croatia finished third in the group standings with two points but its fate remained unclear.
‘CRUEL’ DRAW SIMILAR TO CROATIA LOSS TO TURKEY IN EURO 2008
Modric described Croatia’s “cruel” draw as similar to his team’s loss to Turkey know the quarterfinals of EURO 2008.
At the time, Croatia took the lead in extra time only to concede an equalizer.
Moreover, Modric’s team eventually lost on penalties.
“It’s hard to actually to outdo the Turkey game from 2008 but this game probably runs it pretty close,” the midfielder said.
“It’s certainly a sad day for us and the Croatian national team,” he added.
Interestingly, Croatia would need England to beat Slovenia by a 3-0 score or by four goals and Denmark to win over Serbia to advance.
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