Luka Modric Remembers His Rivalry With Lionel Messi and Pays Tribute to Him After His Argentina Retirement
Luka Modric looked back on a rivalry that shaped his career and used Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell to make a confession that sums up how difficult it was to face him.
Lionel Messi has just closed the book on his time with the Argentina National Team, and one of the players who knows best just how difficult it was to face him decided to share a few words. Luka Modric looked back on the years in which the two crossed paths in Spain and with their national teams, in a rivalry that became an important part of both of their careers.
The Croatian, now at AC Milan, spoke about the Argentine's farewell and acknowledged the enormous impact Messi had throughout a generation. According to comments reported by Cadena SER, Modric made it clear that although they were rivals for many years, his admiration for the No. 10 remains intact.
“I Suffered a Lot Against Him”: Modric’s Confession
The quote that drew the most attention came when Modric reflected on his direct battles with Messi. The two faced each other 27 times, across club and international matches, with the Croatian midfielder recording 10 wins, 5 draws and 12 losses.
“I suffered a lot against him, both with Croatia and Real Madrid,” Modric confessed. The comment perfectly captures what it meant to come up against Messi during his best years, when the Argentine was a constant threat even for Europe's most powerful teams.
A Connection That Began in 2006
The story between Modric and Messi dates back to a match that now feels impossible to forget. On March 1, 2006, Argentina and Croatia met in Basel, Switzerland, in a friendly that brought together two players who were only just beginning their international journeys.
At 20 years old, Modric made his Croatia debut, while 18-year-old Messi scored his first goal for the Argentina National Team. Nearly two decades later, both would become legends for their countries and undisputed figures in world soccer.
Modric Praises the Argentine Legend
After acknowledging how much he suffered in those encounters, Modric also delivered a message of immense respect for Messi. The Croatian regretted his farewell, highlighted that he finally won the 2022 World Cup he had wanted for so long, and described the Argentine as “one of the best players in the world” and a “unique player.”
Messi closed his international chapter following Argentina's 3-0 victory over Benin at the Monumental Stadium. His time with La Albiceleste ends with a World Cup, 126 goals and a legacy that even one of his greatest rivals, Luka Modric, recognizes without reservation.
