Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović after the match did not spare Ronaldo, emphatically said: 'Modrić can still do it'

Following Croatia's exit from the tournament after a loss to Portugal in Toronto, former Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović shared her emotional reflections on social media. Despite the disappointment of the defeat, she commended the Croatian team for their performance, stating they "left their hearts on the field."

Grabar-Kitarović's official Facebook post described the vibrant atmosphere in Toronto, noting how the city was "painted red and white until late at night." She highlighted the emotional connection between the fans and the national team, emphasizing that their shared experience and unity were paramount. "Thank you, Vatreni! You united us again," she wrote, expressing gratitude to the passionate supporters.

The former president also touched upon the players' emotions, referencing Mateo Kovačić's tears and offering words of encouragement. In a notable comparison, she shared a message from an American friend regarding the futures of Croatian captain Luka Modrić and Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo. The friend's message suggested that while this might be Ronaldo's last World Cup, Modrić could still perform at a high level, unlike Ronaldo.

Concluding her post, Grabar-Kitarović shared a lighthearted moment, posting a short video of herself singing with a fan named Luka from Opatija. The song, "Kad ja obajden moju Grobnišćinu," seemed to capture the lingering spirit and camaraderie among the fans even after the match concluded.

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Hvala, Luka! Hvala, tata Stipe i cijeloj obitelji! Dopustit ću si slobodu citirati jednog svog američkog prijatelja koji mi je večeras poslao poruku: 'Ovo je Ronaldovo posljednje Svjetsko prvenstvo. Istina je to i za Modrića. No, razlika je u tome što Modrić još uvijek može igrati jako dobro, a Ronaldo ne može.' Bez ikakvog nepoštovanja prema Ronaldu, samo citiram što drugi kažu.