Ibrahimović on Modrić: 'He is football itself'

Football icons Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović have lauded the Croatian national team and its star player Luka Modrić, emphasizing their remarkable achievements on the global stage.

Ahead of a match between Croatia and Panama, Henry reflected on Croatia's enduring success, noting their near-miss in the 1998 World Cup semifinals and subsequent finals appearances. He marveled at the team's achievements, particularly given Croatia's population of just 3.9 million, calling them "proud and brave."

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He showed in Milan that he is a football maestro. He moves differently, plays with the ball differently, thinks differently, he is a true legend of football.

Ibrahimović, in his characteristic style, delivered a powerful tribute to Modrić, stating, "Luka Modrić doesn't play football, he is football." He praised Modrić's "football maestro" status, evident during his time in Milan, and highlighted his unique movement, ball control, and strategic thinking, calling him a "true legend."

The commentary comes as Modrić reached his 200th appearance for the national team, a milestone matched only by elite players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Bader Al-Mutawa. Modrić's national team career, which began in 2006, includes leading Croatia to a silver and a bronze medal in the World Cup, and earning the Golden Ball in Russia 2018.

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Remember Croatia, they almost knocked us out in the 1998 World Cup semifinals. They had a great striker Davor Šuker. Then they won bronze, then silver in Russia, and bronze in Qatar. And that Croatia has only 3.9 million inhabitants. They are proud and brave, it is never easy to play with them.