World Cup 2018: Luka Modric from a 'different planet', say Ivan Rakitic
Last updated on .From the section World Cup
2018 Fifa World Cup last 16 - Croatia v Denmark |
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Venue: Nizhny Novgorod Date: Sunday, 1 July Time: 19:00 BST |
Coverage: Listen live on BBC Radio 5 live and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app |
Luka Modric is from a "different planet" and the best player in Croatia's history, says team-mate and fellow midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
Modric, 32, has scored twice at the World Cup, leading his side to a last-16 tie with Denmark by coming through the group stage with a 100% record.
Rakitic has played alongside Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta at Barcelona.
"Both of them are among the best players ever in their positions," said the 30-year-old.
Modric joined Real Madrid from Premier League side Tottenham in 2012 and has won three Champions League titles, as well as La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
Iniesta is one of the most successful players in history, and left Barcelona at the end of last season to join Japanese side Vissel Kobe.
He had been at the Spanish giants since the age of 12, making 674 senior appearances and winning 32 trophies.
Rakitic said: "It seems like both of them are from different planets and they came to play football with us mortals here.
"It has been a great honour to play with Andres in the last four years at Barcelona, and with Luka for the last 11 years for Croatia.
"If I created a football team, I would have both of them in my team. Andres is one of my best friends and I see Luka as my big brother."
Former Real and Barca midfielder Robert Prosinecki, who won 49 caps for Croatia, has said Modric is the country's best ever player.
"I would agree completely," added Rakitic. "Not only that Luka is the best player, but he is a great person, a leader and we are following him. I am sure he can feel our confidence in him."
On Sunday, Modric will come up against a man who succeeded him at Spurs - Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen.
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He does it several times in every game, it's like he has a sixth sense for who's around him & his body language is unreadable
Unplayable at times in the group games and bossed the CL Final too
The best midfielder in the game
but the BBC is really pandering to sensationalist hyperbole nowadays. GOAT this GOAT that, passing of greatness.
Either extreme reactions, or endless fawning from pundits. I've had to watch some of the games on German TV and in comparison our coverage is moving very low brow - American style.
Simply fantastic.
If not England, which is only a supporters dream, then I am hoping for a cracking Final with Brazil and may the best tea, win.
Croatia has such a strong midfield.
If there is a shock winner let it be Croatia, wouldnt shock me at all.
Rakitic - give yourself credit, you’re a top player too 👍
Absolutely love what Modric is doing with Croatia, who are serious contenders, despite the unfashionable nation. They work hard together &, with Rakitic, have enough magic too. #TrueGOAT
In the next rung comes Pirlo, Iniesta, Modric, Scholes, Redondo, Riquelme and a few select others.
Why are their opinions so important?
Perhaps it has something to do with them being two of the best midfielders that Croatia has ever produced. They have both played at the very top level, with and against the best midfielders in two different eras. With that in mind I believe they are very well qualified to comment - but perhaps I have it totally wrong.
World class though to be fair.