March 29, 2021 - A surprise Luka Modrić press conference was held after he recorded 135 appearances for the Croatia national team - the most ever!
Luka Modrić arrived at the Opatija hotel Milenij conference hall thinking he was there to answer the questions of Croatian journalists via Zoom after the victory against Cyprus. It was also the night Luka became the most-capped Croatia player of all time.
The most important people in his national team career became journalists for a day, instead!
In attendance was Luka's father Stipe, wife Vanja, former Croatia coach Slaven Bilić, former captain and teammate Darijo Srna, former teammates Niko Kranjčar, Marijan Buljat, and Hrvoje Čale, current teammate Mateo Kovačić, former Zrinjski teammate Davor Landeka, national team manager Iva Olivari, and Luka's former coach Stjepan Deverić.
Reliving dear memories, happy times, the most difficult moments, favorite goals, untold stories, and interesting details, Luka answered to his loved ones in a touching video:
STIPE MODRIĆ
Luka, your father, Stipe, here. Tell me, my son, what is your favorite goal for the national team?
"My favorite goal is the one against Argentina, because of everything we did at the World Cup in Russia and because of the importance of the match. Of course, all the national team goals are dear to me, but this one is more special than the others."
Thank you, my son. Daddy loves you!
"I love you too!"
DARIJO SRNA
Brother, I don't think they recorded this recent performance for me in Petrinja; it was my 135th!
"So, I have to play the next game, ha, ha, ha… And I'm still surprised that you went to Petrinja, ha, ha, ha… Now everything is clear to me."
My little Luka, my love, brother… Congratulations from the bottom of my heart! I will ask you one question: What is the most difficult moment in your national team career? I think I know the answer…
"First of all, thank you, brother, for the kind words at the dinner after the game to you and everyone else. You really touched me, and you know I’m not exactly one to show emotion, but I couldn’t help myself. And the most difficult moment is definitely the match against Turkey in the quarterfinals of the 2008 European Championship in Vienna. That defeat hit us; it was hard for us; you know our reactions in the locker room and how hard it was for us. Whatever we did after that, that defeat was always there somewhere… Thank you."
HNS
SLAVEN BILIĆ
First of all, congratulations to you and yours from the bottom of my heart on this magnificent success; it is phenomenal, keep it up. Wayne Rooney once said when the England national team members said goodbye to the national team: "What farewell, I will rest when I leave football…" I have two questions. Apart from that song I wrote for Euro 2008, which song on the bus annoyed you the most, and which one was your favorite?
"Auuu… Yours, ha, ha, ha…"
I said besides mine…
"Yeah. Honestly, none annoyed me personally, and I liked everything about Croatia. Yours wasn't bad, ha, ha, ha…"
The second question is about business: How are you with Chinese?
"Ha, ha, ha… Not great, but I'll learn if I have to, ha, ha, ha…"
HNS
MATEO KOVAČIĆ
First of all, thank you for including me in this magnificent meeting. Congratulations on this record to you and your family. We spoke after Cyprus; you know everything. You know that you are my role model, you know how much your advice means to me, and every time I admire the will and desire with which you come to national team gatherings. In that context, my question is: Are you afraid of the day when you will no longer wear the holy jersey?
"Thank you, brother. Yes, I'm afraid. When I think about it, it will certainly be difficult for me because I went through a lot on the national team. That moment will definitely be one of the hardest for me. It will be hard to decide to stop playing for the national team… It makes me uneasy thinking about it. However, one day that decision will have to happen. But okay, while I have young men like you with me who rejuvenate me, there is still time, ha, ha, ha…"
HNS
VANJA MODRIĆ
Luka, congratulations! We know everything best; we've been through everything with you all these fifteen years. I have a short question: Of all the teammates you played with on the national team, who is your favorite in terms of football?
"Is that your question, or was it asked by one of the kids, ha, ha, ha…? Did Iva set it up? Or Ema? Ugh… That is perhaps the most difficult question for me today. And from a woman, of course, ha, ha, ha… Who will make things harder for you, but a woman, ha, ha, ha… I can't single one out; I've gained friendly relations with a lot of teammates. Maybe there would be several; I can't single one out."
And the second question…
"You have more, ha, ha, ha… Give me something easier, ha, ha, ha…"
Do you know when you will stop playing?
"I see it's not easy with you. I don't know, love. We'll see. You yourself know how much this means to me, how happy I am when I go to national team gatherings. So… You will have to be a little more patient. Anyway, there will be an opportunity to enjoy and be together even more. Don't worry about it."
So… I was the only one who asked two questions without getting an answer to either.
"As usual, ha, ha, ha."
Good luck; I hope we will watch and follow you for a while. Enjoy. The most important thing is that we wish you a lot of health, and you have everything else.
"Thank you. I love you a lot."
Source: HNS
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