Luka Modric has become a legendary figure on the Croatian national team since his debut 20 years ago in a friendly match between Croatia and Argentina in 2006.
That match not only allowed him to face off against Lionel Messi-whom he has praised on multiple occasions and considers the best player in history-but also against one of the Albiceleste’s teammates whom he recently praised.
Modric revealed his admiration for Riquelme
The current Milan player recalled that match as a key moment in his career in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, where he highlighted its importance not only because it was his debut with the national team, but also because he shared the field with one of the players who most influenced him.
Modric recalled that the national team coach had warned him that his task against Argentina would be difficult, to which he downplayed the gravity of the situation, assuring him that they were used to facing tough opponents:
“His face showed confusion at that moment, and I didn’t know why. But when we went to that match and I saw Riquelme, I understood that he was the reason for the coach’s fear,” Luka stated.
Juan Román Riquelme was one of the stars of the Albiceleste at that time and had caught the attention of the young Luka, who particularly noted the Argentine’s intelligence and vision on the field:
“What I admired most about Riquelme was that every time he had the ball, he would visually scan the field, from the nearest to the farthest space. He was always trying to find a passing option, whether to set up a goal or to escape the opponent’s pressure,” Modric said.
In addition, the Croatian recalled how difficult it was to face him on the field: he said that Riquelme had such a unique technique that it was almost impossible to take the ball away from him:
“I remember he ran with the ball as if he were holding it in a strange way. He was able to make me fall in front of him every time he was near me, and I’d watch him get away so easily,” confessed the former Real Madrid star.
Riquelme was a great player.
Currently, Román is the president of Boca Juniors, the Argentine club where he grew up, while Modric plays for Milan and his national team.
He has played in four World Cups-in 2006, 2014, 2018, and 2022-and is set to play in his fifth tournament, making him one of the few players to have reached this milestone. He will be part of Group L alongside England, Ghana, and Panama.
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