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Croatia midfielder Luka Modric named Bernardo Silva as the one other Portugal player he likes apart from Cristiano Ronaldo. The two nations meet in a Nations League Group A match on Thursday (September 5) in Lisbon.
It seems reasonable that Modric would admire Al-Nassr striker Ronaldo, as they played 222 matches across competitions together at Real Madrid, registering 16 joint goal contributions.
However, the 38-year-old is also fond of Manchester City attacker Silva. Modric said (via MadridXtra):
"Portugal team? Besides Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva is the other player I like. He suits my taste."
Silva is a silky attacker who is versatile, capable of playing in an attacking midfield role and on the right flank. He has made 359 appearances across competitions for City, bagging 67 goals and 68 assists. He has won the Premier League six times and the UEFA Champions League once, among others, at the Etihad.
Silva has been named in Portugal's squad for the current international break, where the team face Croatia and Scotland (September 8) to kickstart their Nations League campaign. The former Monaco man has made 93 international appearances, bagging 12 goals and 29 assists.
After his international duty, Silva wil join Pep Guardiola and Co. as they look for an unprecedented fifth straight Premier League title. He has started all three league games this season, with City winning all of them to lead the standings.
When Luka Modric snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo in the GOAT debate
Despite having played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, Luka Modric once said that the Al-Nassr forward's arch-rival Lionel Messi is the best in the world.
The comments came during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which Messi's Argentina won, with the 37-year-old leading from the front. Modric said about the ex-Barcelona man (via GIVEMESPORT):
"I hope he 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."
Messi won the Golden Ball, given to the best player of the competition, bagging seven goals and three assists, in Qatar. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has played 187 matches across competitions for his country, registering 109 goals and 58 assists.
