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Croatia mdfielder Luka Modric has lavished praise on Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of their UEFA Nations League opener in Lisbon on Thursday. Both nations are coming off early exits at Euro 2024, with their two stars experiencing contrasting fortunes.
Modric scored late on in the third group-stage game against Italy, which looked good to send Croatia through to the knockouts as group runners-up. However, the Azzurri broke Croatian hearts by equalising through Mattia Zaccagni in the third minute of stoppage time to finish second while Modric and Co. crashed out after failing to finish among the four best third-placed teams.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo endured an unusually quiet campaign for Portugal, going scoreless in five games - a first in 11 major tournament appearances - as Roberto Martinez's side went down 5-3 on penalties to France in the quarter-final following a goalless 120 minutes.
However, Ronaldo expectedly returns to Martinez's side to face Modric's Croatia. Ahead of the clash, Modric said that his former Real Madrid teammate is one of Portugal's 'greatest' players (as per Madrid Xtra):
"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."
Following the Croatia game, Ronaldo and Co. take on Scotland three days later, also in Lisbon.
How have Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo fared this season?
Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo have had contrasting starts to the new season with their respective club sides. Modric - who has extended his Santiago Bernabeu stay till next summer - has appeared five times across competitions.
He's yet to make a goal contribution, starting just once, but created history by becoming Los Blancos' most titled player following their 2-0 Super Cup win over reigning UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw last month.
It was his 27th title with the capital club since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2012. His trophy haul includes a record six UEFA Champions League and four La Liga titles.
Meanwhile, all-time Los Blancos top scorer Ronaldo (450 goals) has started the 2024-25 campaign on a tear, scoring in all four games for his current club side Al-Nassr, also providing two assists.
