“I will never play with him” - When Luka Modric made feelings clear about playing with Lionel Messi
Real Madrid legend Luka Modric once said he would never partner with Lionel Messi on the same team. Modric and Messi have faced each other in 27 matches across club and country, with the Argentine legend winning 10, losing 12, and drawing five times against the Croatian.
After joining Real Madrid in 2012, Luka Modric faced Lionel Messi in 22 El Clasicos until the latter departed from Barcelona in 2021. However, they last faced each other during the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-final where Argentina beat Croatia 3-0. Messi went on to win the title with La Albiceleste that year.
During a 2018 interview with France Football, Luka Modric said he would never play alongside Lionel Messi. He said (via OneFootball):
"I play against him, not with him. Obviously, Messi is one of the best players in history, but I will never play with him."
Modric, 39, has also played alongside Messi's archrival Cristiano Ronaldo for six seasons (2012-2018) in 222 games, recording 16 joint-goal participations.
In the same interview, the Croatian denied claims of his relationship with Ronaldo turning sour owing to the competition for individual honors. Modric said:
"We spent six wonderful years in Madrid where we developed a friendship and mutual respect. Now he is gone and we keep in touch, sending messages. And although some people are trying to say that this is not the case, I can say that we are still maintaining good relations."
In the twilight of his career, Luka Modric still plays at Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo bid farewell to Europe and are shining for MLS side Inter Miami and Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr, respectively.
"He is the best player in history" - When Luka Modric rooted for Lionel Messi to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Shortly after Luka Modric-led Croatia lost 3-0 to Lionel Messi's Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-final, the Croatia captain rooted for Messi to win the FIFA World Cup.
"I hope he [Messi] will win this World Cup, he is the best player in history and he deserves it. He is playing a great World Cup, he shows quality and greatness in every game," Modric said (via GiveMeSport).
Lionel Messi went on to lift the World Cup as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in regular time in the final. He scored a brace and also won his second golden ball in the competition. The first one came in the 2014 World Cup.
Luka Modric also reached the FIFA World Cup final with Croatia in 2018 but lost 4-2 to France. The Real Madrid superstar won the Golden Ball in that tournament and was also the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner.