Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo, two of international football's most enduring figures, are set to meet again when Croatia faces Portugal in the last 32 of the World Cup. Modric, 40, will earn his 202nd cap for Croatia, while Ronaldo, 41, will make his 232nd appearance for Portugal. This match could be the final time these giants of 21st-century football share a pitch, after careers that have intertwined as opponents and teammates.
A Shared History Spanning Nearly Two Decades
Modric made his debut for Croatia on 1 March 2006, in a 3-2 win over Argentina, the same evening Ronaldo scored twice in Portugal's 3-0 victory against Saudi Arabia. Since then, both have become constants at the top level, joining an elite group of four men with at least 200 international caps. The other member of this 200-club is also a prominent figure, though not named here.
Their commitment to international football is remarkable. Ronaldo had already won 29 caps when Modric debuted, but over the next 20-plus years, the gap has only widened by one cap. Both have consistently answered their countries' calls, playing at near-parallel rates.
Club and International Rivalry
Their paths first crossed in the 2008-09 Carling Cup final, where Manchester United beat Tottenham on penalties. They later met in the 2010-11 Champions League quarter-finals after Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid. Modric and Ronaldo spent six seasons together at Real Madrid, winning the Champions League four times and reaching the semi-finals in the other two campaigns.
One of their shared pinnacle moments came in the 2017 Champions League final, when Modric cut the ball back to Ronaldo to put Madrid 3-1 up against Juventus. That was one of 222 matches they played together, making Modric the central midfielder with whom Ronaldo has played most frequently.
The Upcoming Match
Toronto will host the fifth international meeting between the two nations, with Portugal having won the first four. Croatia will aim to snap Portugal's streak, but regardless of the result, the match will be remembered far more than the friendlies from 2006 when both players were just beginning their international journeys.
