Legends Modric, Ronaldo…

TORONTO — According to Portugal midfielder Vitinha, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo are “two great icons of world football.” However, he expressed his hope that “tomorrow [Modric] will be a little sadder than I am” following Portugal’s upcoming match against Croatia in the round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup.

Both players, aged 41 and 40 respectively, may be nearing the end of their World Cup careers, with one set to play their last match in this tournament on Thursday.

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Across their careers, Modric and Ronaldo have participated in 47 World Cup matches and earned a total of six Ballon d’Or awards (five of which belong to Ronaldo) from 2008 to 2018. During their time together at Real Madrid between 2012 and 2018, they won four Champions League titles.

“I’ve had the honor of sharing a dressing room and daily life with Cristiano, which has been a pleasure,” said Vitinha. “I wish I could have spent more time with Luka Modric as well.”

“From what I’ve seen, he appears to be a very kind and friendly person. However, tomorrow, one of our journeys must come to an end, and I hope it’s Luka Modric’s.”

“We’re speaking of players who transcend public opinion,” added Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez. “Their longevity in football sets them apart. Luka Modric, now over 40, continues to play a significant number of matches and remains crucial to his team.”

“The same goes for our captain. Anyone who mentions age – it’s merely a number. What counts is what they do and the example they establish in the dressing room.”

While both Ronaldo and Modric have had their moments in the 2026 World Cup, their performances have understandably waned due to their ages.

Ronaldo has played all 270 minutes for Portugal so far, scoring twice but failing to create any chances for his teammates. Among 38 forwards with 250 or more minutes, he ranks 31st in touches (94), 32nd in ball recoveries (five), 34th in progressive passes (three), and last in duel attempts (12).

In contrast, Modric has participated in 229 minutes, generating five chances, with one assist to his name. Among 103 midfielders with at least 225 minutes, he stands 94th in ball recoveries (seven) and 98th in duels (14).

The outcome of the match will largely depend on their teammates, and both coaches have emphasized the importance of midfield play.

Portugal boasts a strong midfield lineup with players like Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, João Neves, Bernardo Silva, and Rúben Neves – all of whom are considered among the best in their positions. However, Croatia has also seen strong contributions from a blend of experienced players like Modric and Mateo Kovacic, alongside emerging talent like Petar Sucic.

“That will be a significant battle,” acknowledged Croatia’s Zlatko Dalic. “The match outcome will likely hinge on that aspect.”

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“Portugal excels at technical football, so we’ll need to stay cautious. The key for us is to avoid mistakes, particularly in possession, as any error could be costly,” Dalic stated.

Initially a favorite to win Group K, Portugal ended up finishing second, following disappointing draws against the Congo DR and the group leaders, Colombia. However, Martinez expressed confidence that the team had the necessary preparations for the next phase of the tournament.

“We are entering this second stage of the World Cup with all players motivated and ready, I can confidently say, because those three matches were crucial for that purpose,” he explained.

“There needs to be collective improvement,” Vitinha added. “When the team doesn’t function well as a unit, no individual brilliance can compensate for that. We need to focus on enhancing our team dynamics, both offensively and defensively.”

The teams recently faced off three times in 2024, each recording a win and a draw.