Luka Modric said watching Lionel Messi play has always been “a joy”, despite the difficulties he experienced facing the Argentina captain for both Croatia and Real Madrid.
Messi officially said farewell to the Argentina national team after the match, prompting Modric to pay tribute to one of football’s most decorated players.
“What more can be said about him?” Modric said. “It’s indeed a pity to see him go, but it’s his decision, and we must respect it.”
The Croatia midfielder acknowledged Messi’s achievements with Argentina, including winning the World Cup he had long wanted to claim.
“He achieved incredible things with the national team, winning the World Cup he dreamed of,” Modric said. “He is one of the greatest players in world football. It has always been a pleasure to watch him play, even though I suffered a lot as his opponent, both with the national team and with Real Madrid.”
Modric, who is already 41, was also asked how long he intends to continue playing and whether he might eventually return to Real Madrid in another role.
He said he remains uncertain about when his career will end, but is still motivated and enjoying football.
“I still have that passion, ambition, and strengththat’s how I truly feel,” he said. “As long as I feel this way, I want to keep playing.”
Modric refused to set a firm timetable for retirement, saying it could come in “two or three months, or six months, a year, or two years”.
“I don’t want to give an answer now and then regret it later,” he added. “I will take it step by step, game by game, month by month, listen to my body, see how I feel, and then I will make a decision very calmly and peacefully.”
He said he did not yet know whether this would be the final year of his career, but added: “What I can tell you now is that I feel good, and I am still enjoying football.”
Modric also described Real Madrid as “my home” and “the club of my life”, having spent 13 years there. He said a future return would be a possibility if he could make a useful contribution.
“If there’s an opportunity, I would certainly love to, but only if I can be useful, if I can work for Real Madrid and help as much as I can,” he said.
The Croatia international stressed that several factors would need to align, including the role available and whether the club needed him. For now, however, his focus remains on playing.
“Returning there would certainly be a dream,” Modric said. “Let’s let things happen naturally.”
