The Argentine is one game away from the final of the new World Cup, or a final farewell to his biggest goal. They lost the cup in 2014 and Modric, the opponent in Tuesday’s semi-finals, was already the executioner in 2018.
Eight years later, here he is again, on his way to achieving what he’s driven practically from the cradle, which, over time, has become almost an obsession and which, to many outside opinions, is a kind of measure of legacy and talent. If many continue to throw the lack of a world title in his face and cling to him tooth and nail to deny him the status of the best footballer of all time, then it is no less honest or a simple matter of fifth place. The World Cup he is contesting, this is already the second time he has reached the most advanced stage of the competition, leading and making the difference for Argentina to keep his hopes of winning the “trio”, which has eluded him since Maradona became a “deuce”. in 1986.
After losing the final of the 2014 edition against Germany (1-0), Lionel Messi returned in favorable conditions to get out of the shadows that always seemed too big, especially in the hearts of Argentina, and win the only title he lacked that he would win. make it unattainable. It was against Croatia, in 2006, that he scored the first of 95 goals for Albicelesti – in the same match in which Modric was capped for Croatia for the first time – and it is against Croatia (Tuesday, 7pm CEST, RTP). 1) It would keep the dream alive or, conversely, live another nightmare.
Duel of the Titans
With Messi yet to make it to the Grand Final, football will really do for another of the greatest stars of the past 20 years. And Modric, who is 37 years old, looks better than ever, and has already lost a final on his record, and is now looking to avenge that painful defeat against France (4-2). This happened in 2018, specifically in the version in which Croatia beat Argentina in the round of 16.
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