"The old guys are still playing" - Cristiano Ronaldo on playing against ex-teammate Luka Modric in recent Portugal win
Cristiano Ronaldo shared his thoughts on playing against his former clubmate Luka Modric in the opening clash of the 2024 UEFA Nations League. Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 on Thursday (September 5) at Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.
Ronaldo and Modric shared the pitch from 2012 to 2018 at Real Madrid. The duo won one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey, two Supercopa de España, four UEFA Champions League titles, two UEFA Super Cups, and three FIFA Club World Cups together at Los Blancos.
When Ronaldo was asked about sharing the pitch with Modric in the UEFA Nations League, the Portuguese icon said (via @MadridXtra on X):
"The old guys are still playing (laughs). It’s beautiful, football, it’s moments, that we keep in our hearts forever."
Before the clash, Modric had also opened up about playing with Ronaldo again, saying (via @MadridXtra on X):
"It will be nice to see Cristiano Ronaldo again, it's always a pleasure. I'm happy he continues with Portugal, for everything he has done and for what he means to them. He's one of the greatest players, if not the greatest player of Portugal. It will be a joy to play against him."
On Sunday (September 8), Portugal will play against Scotland in the UEFA Nations League while Croatia will face Poland.
When Luka Modric heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo’s contributions at Real Madrid
Earlier in 2023, Luka Modric claimed Ronaldo was one of the best players he had ever played with, describing the Portuguese legend as "out of this world." Speaking about Ronaldo in a special La Liga Golazos edition, the Croatian midfielder mentioned his contributions to Los Blancos and said:
"I think everyone will agree that Cristiano was one of the best, if not the best player for Real Madrid. Everything that he did and achieved in Real Madrid in eight or nine years, how long he was here, was something out of this world. In terms of scoring goals, titles, individual records, team trophies, he was so influential. He was a leader on and off the pitch."
Cristiano Ronaldo won the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League with Portugal while Luka Modric contributed to Croatia ending as runners-up in 2022-23.