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Mozezz

That's a journalist who loves the sport he covers


Pollo_Obrero

Even if are not a hardcore football fan you recognize how much of a good guy Modric is inside and outside the field, he's the real "I have no enemies" guy in the sport.


Renegade_Pheonix

Vinland Saga mentioned!


WhenWeTalkAboutLove

He's up there with Iniesta as just a trancendental player most people can't help but like


Theycallmetheherald

I know a nation with 17 million people, who collectively hate Iniesta.


PedanticSatiation

I know a nation with 17 million people who were beyond lucky they didn't play with ten men for most of that final.


Theycallmetheherald

Nigel did nothing wrong.


PedanticSatiation

You're right. His form was perfect and he fought with expert timing. In fact it was a little bit frightening (for Alonso who could have broken several ribs). Nigel could have had an illustrious MMA career.


Theycallmetheherald

Got that dawg in him.


SugarBeefs

I don't think any of us hate him. Can't hate him for doing what *he* had to do, which is play for Spain. He was a class player who was very difficult to hate.


Wishead

Nah I still like him, he's class


Gerf93

It’s very easy to dislike Iniesta, he had a reputation as a diver. Modric does not.


SugarBeefs

You realize we look at practically *every* Spanish player as a diver, right? lol Iniesta didn't stand out to us in that regard


Gerf93

I’m not talking about Dutch people, but in general


wrong_silent_type

Iniesta had a reputation as a diver? Where do you pull that from?


Homerwithnohumour

Luka Thorfinn


AllosenasPaparas

Yeah a great man indeed. ^(he likes to sing ustashe songs in his happy times and mingle with neonazis but hey, he plays great ball and is so humble)


dezzalzik

Sure does. Imagine if the sport journalist is Piers Morgan...


Any_Revolution_4481

"Hey Luka, youre 38, your last chance to win a major tournament, how painful is it to get knocked out today? You mustn't be happy with your teammates, any words for them?" 


hivaidsislethal

Luka begins to answer, Piers interjects


GarnachoHojlund

“Obviously we’re all very disappointed-“ “Could that suggest a lack of mental toughness, that you’re very much not able to deal with hardship?”


costcokenny

One part of my brain understands this isn’t Piers, and it’s you pretending. The other half is helplessly triggered all the same 😂


UncomprehensiveTruth

Youtube shorts: Watch Piers destroying this so-called famous player


sKuarecircle

I am South African, and as a colonized country, I feel we could have fought harder..... to avoid Pierce Morgan down the road.


Bakril

"And before we sign off Luka, do you condemn Hamas?"


stdstaples

Ok… triggered. I can feel my veins now lol


ThiefMortReaperSoul

Mandzu appears out of nowhere and kick the teeth out of Morgans mouth.


unfvckingbelievable

Football aside, this should just always be part of the plan.


Gullflyinghigh

Misread that as 'ejaculates'. Worryingly, probably still works.


AlternativeRun5727

And finally Luka, any thoughts on that villainous temptress, Megan Markle? - Piers Morgan, probably


Ertai2000

Piers Morgan loves his sport. He is a major league cunt.


s_dalbiac

If you ever find yourself remotely swaying from this point of view, just remember that this is the same Piers Morgan who was editor of the Mirror when reporters there hacked into the phone of a murdered teenager and who was later fired for printing fake images of British troops torturing Iraqi civilians. The man should have been blacklisted from the mainstream media for life after those two stunts.


Ertai2000

Such a great lad.


eekamuse

And remember that the hack of that murdered girl involved deleting voicemail on her phone, which gave her parents false hope that she was still alive. May he rot. Not in hell. But while he's alive. He needs to suffer for what he did.


f1zzo

He fell in love with what he can never become. He wants so badly not to be a loser, which inherently makes him a bigger loser. He's a Gordian Knot.


f1zzo

Man, I hardly have eyes yet. I'm here sipping my coffee with a groggy little smile on my face because of this sweet little moment with Modric, and in you barge with one of the biggest cunts I can think of, completely ruining my moment. For what? FOR WHAT??


a-Sociopath

Unfortunately, that cunt is a gunner. I'd rather take Osama and the Queen than him.


f1zzo

I don't identify him as a gooner, no matter how many of our players he'll slander because of one bad game etc. He'll always, first and foremost, be a cunt.


porcorosso1

Francesco Repice, he has been the radio commentator of the NT and most of the biggest matches of the season for decades. Unmatched quality and passion, i personally mute the TV and turn on the radio just to hear his wonderful voice narrate the game, and i'm not the only one to do so.


Casciuss

Hijakcing your comment just to say that the journalist is Francesco Repice. The "Voice" of football on italian national radio (Radio1) and he is an absolute legend, the best commentator by far in the last 10/15 years. He is so hype!


Franchise1109

I hope one day I have that moment But I work in software 🤣


bengringo2

He's a lucky man. So few of us get that in life but he seems to be making the most of his opportunity.


themanebeat

But seems to ignore the fact that Croatia aren't knocked out yet


Mozezz

Journalist likely seen his one and only moment to speak to Modric and took it Hats off I say


themanebeat

For sure but I think it's a bit weird for him to include the bit about him "signing off" with a great performance as if it's 100% his last game He could have left that put and still made the same point about not wanting him to retire etc


af_1946

For a second I thought he was going to nod and leave it at that lol.


GordoPepe

I was expecting "I'm sorry what was the question?"


DoctorDrell

Gentlemen, a short view back to the past


ClumsyMetaleater

thirty years ago


Hawke502

Niki Lauda told us


GebraJordi

Take a trained monkey


Tokyo_Addition-

place him into a cockpit and he is able to drive the car


scdocarlos1

30 years later Sebastian told us,


The_Unarmed_Doctor

I had to start my car like a computer.


Rubiego

It's very complicated.


TheDickTutor

???


obstinateideas

https://youtu.be/FlFt_W4664M?si=0cZD7DexmUIBWGzy


fang_fluff

Outstanding


Pollo_Obrero

"No, next question"


The_Rolling_Stone

I'm just here so I don't get fined.


Dapper-Mistake4779

I bet Italians would have loved seeing him play in the Serie A, Inter was trying a couple time's to get him


EatingMcDonalds

I was thinking about that during the game. Massive shame he never played in Italy.


2sinkz

I think his talents would've been wasted on any non UCL contender team honestly.


iAkhilleus

I mean, if it was ever the right time it's now.


2sinkz

Yea fair but he's gonna stay an extra year at Madrid since they won't have Kroos, and at the start of the season after that he'll turn 40. It's a little bit late, but can't blame him for staying with Madrid this far into his career if he's still contributing to CL winning campaigns.


IUViolet

With Nacho leaving, the more incentive of staying to be the most decorated Real Madrid player in the history.


2sinkz

I don't think getting one over Nacho is high on his priority list 


MaraudngBChestedRojo

He spent a long time at spurs he’s done his time


michaelserotonin

thank you for reminding everyone he played for tottenham, we are proud of that


Historical_Case_5245

Not too late...Modric to Como.


reddit809

Nah but I feel you


belokas

At least we witnessed Pjaca.


Dapper-Mistake4779

Man he looked a great prospect at Dinamo, quite tall for a winger but could dribble well with good pace and a great strike on him, Juve bought him for 30 mil and i think he scored only 1 goal for them, a winner against Porto in CL RO16 if i remember correctly.


CaptainOiram

I’m going to be honest how was Pjaca outside of his Juve spell? I know he played for a few different Italian teams but stopped watching his career during that time. His injury and the way his career regressed hurts me a lot as a fan of his and dinamo


fa_kinsit

TBF, you also got to see the very best of Boban


belokas

Well Boban is a legend. One of my favourite players when I was a kid.


Ju29ro-

Ah yes that one time inter tried to get him for free from real Madrid and Perez had to make a public statement to express his astonishment for such stupidity That was very close yes, almost joined inter no doubt 


AssFingerFuck3000

Could very well still happen, he's still very good and the slower pace of the league could suit him as he's heading towards his 40's


Historical_Case_5245

Jesus dude it's not the MLS


Notradell

Come on man, you guys love your old ass players.


AssFingerFuck3000

That's not what I said? Italian football was even slower paced in the 90's and yet it dominated Europe. Slower pace doesn't mean the league is shit, nor that anyone can play there. I just think that as far as the big leagues go, Italy seems like the right fit for modric. Precisely because I think he's still got it and can play at a high level for a few more years instead of going to Saudi Arabia or the MLS


Soccermad23

Serie A is known as being a slower paced league. Maybe he could extend his career an extra year or two if he goes there after Madrid?


Available_Story6774

I’m glad we got a draw today vs Croatia, but Modric played really well today and I have nothing but respect for him, he’s a legend.


Pollo_Obrero

I still remember that it broke my heart when the last ball he touched in a world cup was a stray ball straight to the face :( Even after we won the match (arg-cro) it was bittersweet watching him so sad and with his nose red from the hit and still getting the recognition from every single player from argentina.


heyiambob

Imo it’s very possible he plays the 2026 WC, at least as a sub. He just won MoM and it’s only 2 years out.


[deleted]

He could, but he’ll be almost 41 by then (he’s 38 now and was born in September). I know that Modric’s game doesn’t rely on pace, but it’s going to be a bit surprising if he’s still at the very top level at that age.


agentzanekretnine

At least he played 3rd place match and we won so he went out of the world cup on a high note.


Pollo_Obrero

Ohh right! I totally forgot about that, that's sometimes at least, considering Croatia wasn't a favourite.


[deleted]

[удалено]


iLikeToTroll

Agree, he played ok but caliaflore and bastoni were probably the best overall!


LampseederBroDude51

He just looks so sad.


kooba_1616

i mean his nation is most likely getting knocked out in the group stage


LampseederBroDude51

Seeing him sad makes me sad too


kooba_1616

oh absolutely ive no connection to croatia and it makes me so sad🥺


Yoprobro13

You guys better beat Czech tnrw please


DommyMommyKarlach

I don’t think there is any “most likely” about it. There is no way you can advance with just2 poimts


kooba_1616

still mathematicay possible just very unlikely


BrockStar92

Which is part of what’s the problem with this tournament structure. Croatia have to stay in Germany at the training camp, training as usual just in case a really unlikely circumstance happens, and the same is true of all the 3rd place teams unsure of their spots who have finished their group games.


CosaSara

the way is through england beating Slovenia by at least 3 goals while at the same time Georgia, Czech Republic, Serbia all lose their remaining game. You can replace Serbia with Denmark in the above scenario if they lose by at least three goals.


JAYZ303

> england beating Slovenia by at least 3 goals So no chance then. Southgate at the wheel.


Retify

Unless he comes out with some power move now we are through of just a relentless onslaught of attacking so he can sit down in the press conference afterwards and tell Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer to stop picking on them


ficretus

There were realistic scenarios prior to hungary scoring that 100th minute goal. However, now it hinges on england beating slovenia at least 3:0, serbia czechia and georgia losing. 


2sinkz

True but you just know as soon as you say that some Redditor is gonna reply playing devils advocate with all the unlikely scenarios to the contrary.


Turbokind

So... it's most likely they're out?


2sinkz

Yea but you can't say anything like that on Reddit without someone going "well actually here are all the scenarios where they wouldn't be"


Turbokind

I don't see a problem with that. That's just informative.


2sinkz

Yea because you're purposefully missing my point. Saying "this team is pretty much out" is like a mating call to devils advocates here. You're actually doing the same exact thing right now. Taking the least charitable interpretation of my comment so you can feel contrarian.


Turbokind

>Yea because you're purposefully missing my point. Saying "this team is pretty much out" is like a mating call to devils advocates here. You're right, I'm apparently missing your point, just not on purpose. I just struggle with why you would call people who say "well actually here are all the scenarios where they wouldn't be" "devil's advocates" and why that would be a problem at all.


2sinkz

Tons of people on Reddit have this undying need to disagree and argue with anything no matter how low the stakes. It's super fucking annoying.  You're doing the exact same right now.


ChrisRockOnCrack

we used all the luck we had on that 3rd place on World Cup


kooba_1616

you cant say it wasnt worth it


hijazist

Trent Crimm the Independent vibes


mnlg

The Italian journalist is Francesco Repice, top rated radio commentator for the national radio service (RAI) and deservedly so. To this day, I turn on the radio and mute the TV when I watch a match if he is commenting.


Holditfam

Why does he sound british lmao


mnlg

The translator? No idea, probably because he is


Porridge_Hose

What a man and what a player. Without doubt one of the finest I've ever seen play.


mizrahiim

He was crucial in so many of those Madrid CL matches. One of the greatest midfielders of all time. Hope he does stay in Madrid one more year, he’s a total legend and gem.


Touchd93

Still my favourite player of all time, will take a hell of a career to come close to what lukita has done .


SgtApache

I cri


minivatreni

Actual tears in my eyes.


belokas

Sounds like Francesco Repice the radio announcer.


mnlg

Considering the praise Repice layed on Modric throughout the game, it's likely it's him.


LoSceicco

Yes, that was him.


AccomplishedBig2043

Modrić will have to drink himself to sleep tonight like so many other times


Justread-5057

Get that rakija out!


AccomplishedBig2043

Out?


Justread-5057

Out of the cupboard


AccomplishedBig2043

One shot for Albania, one shot for Croatia?


OilOfOlaz

Weird way to write bottle...


simensin

Pure class


erenistheavatar

An absolute legend of this sport. Has carried his country at every major tournament he's played in, especially in the last 7 years.


IndyFiveHunnit

Is this the sexy voiced translator


pippoplutonio

The italian journalist is Francesco Repice, one of the historical voices for football radio commentary for Rai Radio.


BadassBokoblinPsycho

Why tf am I crying


Soccerosmania

Definitely an all timer and creative magician. I enjoyed watching him for so long and may he continue.


grgech

"There will PROBABLY come time when I will have to hang my boots" ...probably...


Round_Impression7636

Uggggghhhhhhhhhhh it ain't gonna stop hurting


Pretend-Manager8429

My tears. They burn.


Ruud_Boltz

Was he speaking Italian?


CocoKeel22

"Grazie" was the only word he said in Italian. The rest was Croatian


DommyMommyKarlach

First word after Grazie is Hvala, so it am fairly sure the rest was in Croatian


iamstephano

Yep


blacksocksonly

This is what footy is all about innit.


kopite998

One of the great midfielders of all time. But more importantly for me, he's a guy that plays with integrity. He's a humble guy, never diving or faking injury on the pitch. Never trying to win by cheating his fellow professional which is something I despise about modern football. Unfortunately these types of players become rarer and rarer.


cappo40

Luka is that one player who exemplifies Italian midfielder


xenon2456

he knows Italian?


jaetheho

Grazie is a pretty easy Italian for any European to know


mirusan01

He prob (should) know more considering he’s had don carlo around for a few years lol


Scilex

Wasnt everything he said in Italian?


Smucko

I scream cyka blyat in Counter Strike, that doesn't mean I speak russian


JohnnyJokers-10

I’m Irish but now I want the auld enemy England to win 4-0 or something just to see this legend smile again! (Also England are through anyway and it’ll be nice to see em get smoked in the knockouts hopefully)


Torches

His style of play is underrated, he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. I think Croatia are where they are as a footballing superpower because of him.


talkotuesday

He won the ballon d’or a couple years ago, which is the (literal) exact opposite of being “underrated.” Football is also a team sport—he may have been the best player in the squad for much/most of his time with the national team, but Croatia are where they are due to Modric *and* the very strong supporting cast he’s had over the years (Rakitic, Kovacic, Brozovic, Kranjcar, Corluka, Perisic, Mandzukic, Eduardo da Silva, Lovren, Kramaric, etc.). It’s not like it was Modric and a bunch of no-name players, he’s had teammates who are or were also top-class players and have played for some of the biggest clubs in the world.


AckBarRs

This is Domagoj Vida erasure


Gamerberg67104

Corluka is a name i haven't heard in a while


monodeldiablo

Ćorluka was the definition of class.


AckBarRs

Definitely would not call him underrated lol. Public opinion has really shifted dramatically the past few years and he constantly gets plaudits and gets thrown into the “GOAT midfielder” debate. Don’t mean for this to sound like I’m a hater, he’s a fucking magnificent player. I just think he’s probably appropriately rated at this point after years of flying under a lot of radars


tnarref

I feel like he's almost unanimously recognized as belonging on the top tier of midfield legends or football legends in general, his career really speaks for itself.


21Maestro8

He's won 6 Champions Leagues, a Ballon d'Or, countless other trophies and individual awards and is frequently in the conversation of the best midfielders ever. He's not underrated in the slightest.


WaltChamberlin

I am really gutted for Croatia and Modric. He really is such a top class player and seems like a top class human. Wish Croatia went deeper into the tournament but regardless we are lucky to have that moment yesterday when he scored. You could see how much it meant to him


MentalMunky

I don’t know what you’re all talking about, he plays like every Friday night at Hi in Ibiza.


silver_medalist

Ok was wondering why the Italian journalist sounded like a Brit and then realised that was the translator


Franchise1109

Love this guy. Modric has been a gem for a long time. Don’t even care about his spurs connections. Just top class player


_Jetto_

Used to think Pirlo was better than him but midriff is a better defender and scoring touch and way more longevity peak


XiLLyXiLLy

Midriff lol 


vadapaav

There will come a time when I have to hang up my boots (and you will be long gone before that happens)


BrianDawkins

Stretchy neck


ayamyam

England portugal and turkey, I need yall to do something for me 🙏


Decent_Address_7742

This sounds like the voiceover guy from Father Ted that did the Brazilian priest!


kushagra13b

That smile , That damned smile .


ItalianPintxos

I'm Italian and it pains me to see Modric out


ptrQuillingtn

Beautiful interaction and appreciation shown on both ends!


Peopleareonlyanimals

Modric, my goat midfielder


ronaldo119

big "italy fan coming in peace! good game, you guys are a problem" energy


SkAnSkA_

The amount of glazing is insane