"Playing against him has been beautiful" - Albania star reacts as he gets Real Madrid legend Luka Modric's shirt after Euro 2024 clash
Albania star Kristjan Asllani has reacted to receiving Real Madrid and Croatia legend Luka Modric's shirt after their sides drew 2-2 at EURO 2024 (June 19). The midfielder was full of praise for the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, saying that playing against him was 'beautiful'.
The Albanian plies his trade for Inter Milan at club level. He spent the 2022-23 season on loan at the San Siro and subsequently made a permanent move for €10 million in July 2023. The defensive midfielder was an important squad player in Inter's Serie A triumph, with a goal and two assists in 31 appearances across all competitions.
His solid season earned him an Albanian call-up for EURO 2024, and he has started and played the full 180 minutes across both games so far. His side put up a strong fight in their 1-2 loss against Italy and clinched a last-minute 2-2 draw against Croatia.
When the 22-year-old came to the post-match interview with Sky Sports Italia, he arrived with the shirts of former Inter teammate Ivan Perisic and Real Madrid's Modric. When asked about the experience of playing against them, he said (via Madrid Xtra on X):
"I got the shirt of Luka Modric at the end of the game. Many players wanted his shirt but I asked Perisic and he made me have it. I used to watch legends like Luka on TV, playing against him has been beautiful."
Both Croatia and Albania currently sit on one point each with a loss and a draw after two games at EURO 2024. The Real Madrid icon will lead his side against Italy on June 24 in a high-octane clash, while Asllani's side will take on Spain on the same day to keep their tournament hopes alive.
"See him out!" - Ex-Arsenal forward Ian Wright lambasts Real Madrid's Luka Modric for mistake vs Albania
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has lambasted Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric for a mistake that led to Albania's opener in their EURO 2024 clash.
Wright felt that the 38-year-old should have been more proactive in keeping up with his marker in the box. He claimed that the Croatian was too lax about tracking goalscorer Qazim Laci, who slotted home after being afforded the space.
Speaking to ITV, the 60-year-old said (via Metro):
"We have to look at Modric in that situation. He has to take responsibility. Instead, he’s seen out Laci, he’s passed him on because the centre half has got dragged out. He’s passed him on and no one has taken notice. Someone has got to take him [Laci], you can’t just point to him because you’re Luka Modric. See him out!"
Despite Wright's claims, Modric was statistically one of Croatia's standout performers in the game. He had 140 touches, completed 108 of his 122 passes (88.5%), completed two dribbles and two key passes, took two shots and created one big chance (via @StatmanDave on X).
However, it wasn't enough to help Croatia get the win. They will now have to win their last game against Italy to keep their EURO hopes alive, in what could be the Real Madrid legend's last ever international tournament.