His direct pass is not as good as Xavi's, his breakthrough is not as good as Iniesta's, and his hardness is not as good as Kante... To this day, some people still compare Modric with several great midfielders in the 21st century and question it. The gold content of the 2018 World Footballer and Ballon d'Or Awards. Coming to the 2020 European Cup, the Croatian team, which is the World Cup runner-up, is not optimistic either.

The Croats were unmoved and unimpressed. The 35-year-old Modric and the 32-year-old Perisic participated in all 4 goals in the group stage. They defeated Scotland 3-1 in the final round, qualified with England and the Czech Republic, and entered the top 16 of the European Cup. Croatia's "golden generation" is still shining, and the ageless "Magic Flute" has not yet given up.

In the 2008 European Cup against Austria, Modric scored the winning penalty. Data map/IC PHOTO

The "golden generation" is still alive

In this morning's game against Scotland, Modric received a pass from Kovacic in the 62nd minute , an outside instep volley helped the Croatian team take the lead again. At 35 years and 286 days old, "Magic Flute" became the oldest goalscorer in the history of the Croatian team in the European Cup. As early as the 2008 European Cup group match against Austria, Modric, who was 22 years and 273 days old, scored the only goal of the game and became the youngest scorer in the history of the Croatian team in the European Cup. This record has not been broken yet.

Similar to Cristiano Ronaldo on the national team stage, time spans 13 years. Modric has experienced the departure of too many old teammates and witnessed the joining of countless new forces, and he has always been the mainstay of Croatia. .

In the summer of 2006, Modric, who had just been selected for the national team, went to the World Cup in Germany with the team. Olic, Cilic, Klasnic, Kovac, there were many big brothers around him. He came on as a substitute for 30 minutes in two games and saw the team eliminated in the group stage. Two years later at the European Cup, Rakitic was welcomed to the "Magic Flute", and Croatia's "golden generation" began.

In the 2012 European Cup, Mandzukic, Vida, Subasic, Strinic, and Perisic joined, and Croatia's "golden generation" ushered in their first major competition. This group of players has experienced the low ebb of the group stage of the major competition, and also experienced the glory of reaching the finals of the 2018 World Cup.

Back to the present, Rakitic, Mandzukic, Subasic, Strinic, etc. have all faded out of the national team and have even retired. Only Perisic is left next to Modric. Three old comrades born in the 1980s, Vida and Lovren, support the Croatian team forward together.

When Modric lobbed the ball into the penalty area, Perisic helped the team seal the victory. The latter rushed to Modric's side and knelt down to wipe the captain's shoes. The facts are before our eyes, the "Magic Flute" is not old, and the residual warmth of the "golden generation" is still there.

Perisic cleans Modric's shoes. Picture/IC PHOTO

The "Iron Man" captain maintains full attendance

Regarding Modric's status as a "shepherd boy", after he won the Golden Ball Award at the 2018 World Cup, he became the best player in world football in 2018. Already well known as Mr. But many people still have little idea why this thin midfielder who looks inconspicuous can achieve such high achievements.

Yes, simply comparing a certain technical link, Modric's short pass is not as good as Xavi's, his breakthrough is not as good as Iniesta's, his interception is not as good as Kanter's, and his long pass is not as good as Pirlo's, but the "Magic Flute" The scary thing about him is that every technical aspect of him is at the top of the world. He is an all-around midfielder with balanced offense and defense and "cannot run to death".

As a defensive midfielder, he can constantly intercept, steal, and block the opponent's offense; as a starting midfielder, he can sit in the midfield to sort out the offense and send out exquisite short passes and direct passes; as a full midfielder, He can initiate breakthroughs in time, or break into the penalty area, or send fatal crosses to his teammates.

The above all-around skills rely on strong physical fitness and tenacious willpower.

In the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Modric led the team to play all 7 games and maintained full attendance, including 3 overtimes. He played 694 minutes, ranking first among 736 players, and only rested for a total of 26 minutes. He is a well-deserved "Iron Man". In the three group matches of this European Cup, the 35-year-old Modric played another 270 minutes.

Even Croatia coach Dalic lamented, "No one knows how Modric maintains such a high level of competition. As he grows older, we all thought that his condition would decline. , will lose his original vitality, but he has not and can still lead the team forward. I am very proud that the team can have such a player."

Modric said after the game. Picture/Social Media

The immortal legend still has the task of passing the bat

In the 3 group matches of this European Cup, Modric contributed 1 goal and 1 assist, and Perisic contributed 2 goals 1 assist and directly participated in all 4 of the team's goals. The Croatian team once again entered the European Cup knockout rounds. However, "Magic Flute" knows very well that it is also a top priority to seize the few competition opportunities and hand the baton to the successor as soon as possible.

Last season, Modric played 35 times in La Liga for Real Madrid, including 32 starts. He played 12 times in the Champions League, including 10 starts. He is still the core of the team's midfield. Even so, next year's World Cup in Qatar is likely to be Modric's last World Series.

In the next European Cup and the 2026 World Cup, I believe Modric, Perisic, Lovren, Vida, Kramaric and others have already taken off their Croatian jerseys. Coach Dalic also knows this very well, so he gave Kovacovic, Karl, Brekalo, Vlasic and others more opportunities in this European Cup.

The 26-year-old Kovacovic has secured his position as the main goalkeeper, pushing the 31-year-old Kalinic to the bench. The 24-year-old Karl has performed stably at the center back position and can take over from Lovren and Vida in the future. Although the 22-year-old forward Brekalo is relatively immature, he has a bright future.

Especially the 23-year-old Vlasic scored the first goal for the team against Scotland. At 23 years and 261 days old, he became the second youngest scorer in the history of the Croatian team in the European Cup, second only to Modric was elected player of the match after the game. Vlasic is expected to take over the baton from Modric and Rakitic and become the new commander of Croatia's midfield.

After the Croatian team successfully advanced to the top 16 of the European Cup, there are still more games waiting for the 35-year-old "Magic Flute" to perform the legend of immortality, and there are also more opportunities for the successors of the "Golden Generation" Get on stage as quickly as possible.

Editor Wang Xichong Proofreader Li Lijun