Luka Modric shares touching moment with journalist who asks him never to retire

An Italian journalist paid a moving tribute to Luka Modric after Croatia were likely knocked out of Euro 2024 by Italy in Leipzig.
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The 38 year-old Croatia captain missed a penalty, but scored shortly afterwards to give Croatia the lead and they were set to qualify for the knockout phase until, with the last kick of the game, Mattia Zaccagni equalised. That put Italy through in second place in Group B on four points behind Spain, with Croatia third on two points.
The journalist said 'I wanted to thank you for everything that you've shown, not only tonight, but throughout your career. Once again, you signed off as a top class player. I'd like to ask you to never retire from your playing career because you're one of the finest players that I've ever commentated on'.
Modric thanked him for the tribute and said in reply 'right from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. I'd also like to keep playing forever, but there probably will come a time when I have to hang up my boots. I'll keep playing on. I don't know for how much longer, but thank you very much for your words.'
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#LukaModric #Croatia #Euro2024

[@Kwame_Baroown]

Turning 39 this year and still playing at top level for real madrid and croatia. Truly one of the greatest of this generation.

[@xcf5587]

Would be surprised if he’s not at the World Cup in 2026 tbh

[@joshuzell6666]

In the middle aswel

[@mynamesak]

@@xcf5587Yeah he’d be like 40-41 by then. Playing pro at tht age isn’t unheard of, look at pepe. Hope his wc run is better than his euros run

[@estebanhernandezvelasquez6618]

Ever*

[@ahmaddeeni]

Having a Ballon d’or automatically puts you in the best ever* area of discussion and not “the best of this generation” discussions.

[@Navrem1990]

How could anyone hate on that guy.. he is one the players that even rival fans applaud 👏

[@retroBeaver]

I'm a barca fan and I completely agree with u

[@zedell1233]

England fan here, he knocked us out the world Cup in 2018 and I agree

[@SooHaaacked]

No he isnt

[@bhvillaman4401]

@@zedell1233 but it was mandzukic

[@zedell1233]

@@bhvillaman4401 if you want to be literal yeah, but modric was the difference imo

[@gmxzorro]

The Italian journalist is a man of honour and respect who understands his job. Like Luka Modric, he is world class.

[@tomate397]

Francesco Repice, not an ordinary journalist, the official voice of Italian matches on the national Radio, one of those old school sport journalists with an unbelievable talent and vocabulary… check if u find some of his highlights as a commentator translated (for example the speech after Italy wins the euro cup)

[@saelind73]

Lo amo. Grandissimo Repice e ha fatto davvero un bellissimo gesto.

[@Toisestars619]

KUUUROOOOOOOO!!!! EL PRINCIPEEEEEEEE!!!!!

[@HardHustler956]

Same guy who shouted "Ancora Pirlo"?

[@joeljose6608]

I'm not crying , you are crying 🥲

[@MateuszFidler]

no one is crying bro

[@sbuckle1171]

Bro… now that’s original. Is that like an abbreviated form of brother? You are at the cutting edge of the new cool slang.

[@Willem-s6x]

@@sbuckle1171 you're a weird guy

[@sbuckle1171]

@@Willem-s6x Nah no weirdness here. It’s you - the guy who tries to downplay a hilarious comment by JoelJose6608 - that is eccentric.

[@tikt99]

Francesco Repice has the best recipe for politeness

[@lucaferlisi2486]

Awesome Word choice

[@bronson9836]

Luka Modric is such a rare talent that the world of football will be all the poorer for his retirement. Not only a great player but a fine person as well.

[@bboyshinny]

39 and still one of the best. Amazing!!!

[@justaman1721]

Watched Modric many times at the lane. What a fantastic footballer, it was an absolute privilege to watch him live.

[@Manos-de-Piedra]

Thank you for the kinds words fella, means a lot

[@justaman1721]

@@Manos-de-Piedra Luka?

[@thanossamy1543]

Really hope he comes back to WHL to round out his career.

[@markmusic5303]

​@@thanossamy1543what is WHL?

[@thanossamy1543]

@@markmusic5303 White Hart Lane, Tottenham's old stadium

[@baofc2609]

He is a great player and an even better person. What did we do to deserve Luka😢

[@andrewhyde4708]

What a player he has been.

[@georgedanilov8898]

Still is, not has been Not retired yet

[@willbee6785]

One of my favourite footballers from when he was at Tottenham Hotspur. Not a Spurs fan here, but Mr Modric has class and poise seen in very few players. A class act.

[@chokoon21]

Modric could star as Van Gogh in a movie

[@rivierapalms6485]

Phenomenon player - and very humble too. Lovely comments from the reporter as well ❤

[@ravenhill-night-chills-1968]

Modric is not only a legend of football, but a legend of the world too.

[@monikabebic7086]

G.O.A.T.❤️❤️❤️

[@darthmaul408]

Nice to see a positive interaction between a player and journalist.

[@carloscanziani1644]

Grande Modrić

[@Dude-etiquette]

I love Modra, he will always be a legend

[@biglebowski498]

Legend

[@modd7607]

LEGEND ❤

[@maksonamex]

Luka powa !

[@sanjinred]

Legenda❤

[@FaysalHaroun]

Your Favourite Players, Favourite Player

[@RHYSDAVIDPOUNDCESTIQUEPound]

One of the greatest ever! Legend

[@zdenka239]

Luka💪💪💪💖💖🇭🇷

[@PetreMihai94]

Forever young... I want to be forever young... Do you really want to live forever? Forever, and ever. 😔

[@SpaseRistov]

I love this guy ❤

[@peka7776]

Respect! Respect! Respect!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@its_master_Roshi_Fkrs]

Great player 👏❤️💙

[@kennygrant5531]

Made my day this

[@INVICTUS6666]

Luka❤

[@TurtleManOfficial]

He's probably one of the few who deserves playing this fantastic game till his death.

[@hotelvasthorizon]

My favorite player ❤

[@GRMS66]

Legend of a player and an even better human being apparently. Keep going Luca - even at 45 you’ll be better than most players playing today.

[@Speysider1962]

An inspiration to all, Luka Modric, take a bow.

[@Illy-f4n]

Kapetane Luka Modriq❤❤❤❤

[@pauillacwine263]

One of the greats. Who can’t appreciate Modric?

[@superjke718]

What a player he’s been

[@elainehernen286]

Great footballer love watching him play better than any English footballer keep going Luca 😊

[@ultrarxasgameplay]

big respect for my Captain!

[@nobodyhere-et3pk]

Humble modric

[@Orwell_]

Grande Modric

[@leopolddb9955]

Modric is a class act.

[@samwoodward2676]

One of my favorite players ever. Hope he comes to the MLS for a little before he retires so I can watch him play

[@tommymein9046]

Total class. Knowing that you’re at the end of an illustrious career, it hurts to walk away knowing what you know. The next phase is teaching and passing the torch to the next generation. Well done Luka.

[@markmusic5303]

I feel he still has stamina for 2 seasons at the highest level

[@ujjwalmukherjee4384]

He deserves it! An incredible player for his club and nation! I ended up supporting Croatia only for Luka Modric!

[@nadaj6921]

Luka ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷 ✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Paulco67]

Perfect

[@Benjipee77]

Class act luca, and the journalist

[@corveau1478]

Forever people will say, 'Please just a little bit longer'.

[@darm1735]

One of the all time greats, who Utd missed out on years ago, and who could of changed so much at that dying club. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@kaylanchetty]

Modric can do no wrong. What a player.

[@lawrencelau5728]

Just won another UEFA Super Cup today, highest trophies won player in the history of Real Madrid.. legend❤

[@drazenjurasek1375]

Maestro ❤

[@nanox4]

Leyenda

[@aeoligarlic4024]

I don't want him to retire either! I think it would be more heartbreaking to see Modric retire than Messi or Ronaldo 😭

[@mateusz3162]

I totally agree

[@redmustangredmustang]

IT most likely will be his last season with Real Madrid. They usually keep around 3 to 5 players of the old guard to teach the young guys what to do and then the younger players take over. Real Madrid will forever be grateful to this man and hopefully he'll get the sending off that he rightfully has earned.

[@mr.chuckleteeth4382]

❤❤

[@tomhighsmith]

Wonderful player, who rarely makes faults on the opponent. There are a few players who can really play football, Iniesta is also such a player. Rarely a yellow card in their entire career

[@sambhavnath6668]

As a messi fan I am saying he deserve a world cup

[@albtub]

As an Italian, I doubt whether it would have been better if Croatia passed instead of Italy. They surely would have made a better figure against Switzerland.

[@SongofIceandTea]

would love to see Modric in Serie A, with Milan or Juve, he will be a perfect fit, and a starter for whole season

[@rama_b61]

Well it's hard for old players to join a big club now

[@SongofIceandTea]

@@rama_b61 wrong, now is actually easier for old players to join big club, because of technology, players can keep their prime form until age 34-35, i bet you didn't even know how old KDB is right now ? and he's the best midfielder in PL

[@rama_b61]

@@SongofIceandTea 33 right, Well we'll just have to see, but the chances are very slim for the nearly 40 year old player to get a contract

[@snaz388]

There's a reason he has a ballon d'or

[@Skindred727]

NO. We want to see 70 year old Modric play !

[@ninjaman5229]

He reminds me of messi

[@anonymousalpha1944]

Just curious what do the earplugs do?

[@lewisgilbertson7506]

Ill bet it was a live translation so he could understand

[@mr.bluenotedoobop]

I believe it translates whatever language he’s being spoken to.

[@rothbardfreedom]

They play Taylor Swift.

[@Kay89487]

@@rothbardfreedom😂😂😂😂

[@IltamZumraRashuptiIlatim]

They are playing genshin impact soundtrack

[@gioandi3556]

The italian journalists name is Repice

[@tomharper2709]

The only man worthy of separating Ronaldo & Messi in their 15 years of dominance.

[@rhysioeren3203]

He is a legend, Cristiano is a legend...who is messi?

[@satoshinakamoto3342]

Sadly, his own country doesn't give him much respect

[@bjrnchrstn]

After all this experience still whining about the ref. Pathetic.

[@nigelkhan9278]

Come back to Spurs.

[@denis888red]

You can't buy class.

[@ThisMusicIsToogood]

At least give him a shot at the world cup

[@petervarone8462]

Very boring.

[@GrinspoonPHD]

No u

[@Imran_Mahmoodimz]

I’ve always loved Modric. Such a gentle personality and humble demeanour ❤️

[@petermallozzi7250]

well said truley remarkable player on yje pitch and out

[@97YNWA97]

English journalist could never have such class

[@lOmaine777]

I agree, they are far too pompous and entitled.

[@Some-kid-called-David]

That’s a ridiculous comment to make

[@97YNWA97]

@@Some-kid-called-David care to explain why?

[@Some-kid-called-David]

@@97YNWA97 actually think about what you said in your original comment

[@PincoPallino-zh8wm]

I have seen Italian journalists being just as bad as the English ones. This is not about English or Italian, this is about a kind and thoughtful person who wanted to express how he genuinely felt, and he happens to be a journalist.

[@DJ_handle]

I’m a hardcore Barca fan but Luka is such a nice guy and a fine player

[@fabiopace580]

Francesco Repice italian journalist

[@andreadiotallevi5780]

And more importantly, the greatest sport radio commentator ever

[@fabiopace580]

@@andreadiotallevi5780comunque sono italiano ahahah, penso che sia uno dei migliori al commento

[@AliHussein-xg3sw]

Uhh no he’s not, Landon Donovan is way better as a commentator 🇺🇸

[@freedomprophet2891]

@AliHussein-xg3sw I don't know if this should be some sort of joke that I don't get, but don't ever put American flag on yt football clip and say something is the best about it. Not even as a joke. His hair might be tho.

[@highlandgnome]

A truly amazing athlete, as others have said " one of the greatest of this generation"👍

[@jsmoothie7001]

What a legend!

[@flaviosambruni2503]

Mr. Fantastic Francesco Repice, fabolous italian speaker. Honour and glory for Luka Modric, but to Repice, as well, for asking it him.

[@RomnysGonzalez]

Man... A world without Modric playing football. He's my all time favorite player. Gonna miss him so much. On and off the pitch pure class

[@RaymondScullion]

A class act in every way 👍👍

[@VladislavM-kq8yo]

This guy is amazing, as a player, as a person! A true leader who never gives up! Best of luck from 🇷🇺

[@NASHMOODLEY]

Trivela King Modric❤

[@raul2602]

Legend 🐐

[@Mil-w6d]

Top player ❤

[@myriamlambert801]

He is one of those who made us love football ! Great player and remarkable personality ...

[@dm10107]

The best midfielder to ever grace the pitch.

[@joeyparker4287]

top footballer and an even better lad

[@LGR910]

Legenda!!🇭🇷

[@discobacon5160]

Classy

[@simondavies6270]

Viva!! Luka Moderic. What a fantastic Footballer and servant of the beautiful game. He is a credit to Croatia.

[@Messiblonde]

@AlessioFurlan "After Italy’s 1-0 loss to North Macedonia, there were no official congratulations from the Italian team, Coach Roberto Mancini or any Italian reporters!"

[@SnazzySnezz]

"Spankies", not "Sparkies"! 😂

[@_theporkchopexpress]

Class personified.

[@BlakeNix]

Tremendous player. Great heart.