NEVERENDING STORY?
You’ve probably already seen the post-match photo of Luka Modric doing the rounds. Fresh after his player-of-the-match performance in Croatia’s last-gasp draw with Italy that cruelly denied his country second place in Group B and qualification to the Euro 2024 knockout stages, Modric has the hollow look of a squire on a medieval tapestry, skewered by some sort of sword, a thousand-yard stare normally reserved for Glastonbury goers making their way back to reality on a Monday morning after a long, hard festival. One eye on what has come before, one eye on what is to come.
For better or worse, Modric has experienced quite a bit more than the depths of Shangri-La and the relentless noise of those metal toilet doors clanging shut. His childhood was blighted by the Croatian war and the murder of his grandfather Luka, who gave him his name. The two had been close, with some rare early footage showing a young Modric, no older than five or six, herding goats on the mountain near his grandfather’s house and posing proudly with a rifle in the snow. The war, his grandfather’s death and the subsequent flee as a refugee to safety is “the thing that has marked me for life”. Modric’s inexplicable rise to Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham and Real Madrid, overcoming military service and a perjury charge (later rejected by Croatian courts in 2018) to win six Big Cup titles, reach the 2018 World Cup final and claim the Ballon d’Or at 33 seems unfathomable.
It is a fine thing to be praised and cheered on by your opponents and rivals and Monday’s post-match press conference was notable for an Italian journalist delivering a moving tribute to Modric after what could be his last international appearance. “I want to thank you for everything you have shown, not just tonight but in your career,” said Francesco Repice. “Once again you signed off as a top-class player, scoring despite missing a penalty. I’d like to ask you to never retire from your playing career, because you’re one of the finest players that I’ve ever commentated on.”
Will Modric ever play for Croatia again? Now 38 but still playing for the best club team in the world, there is no reason to think that a man already blessed with almost no physical gifts – power, height, pace – could play into his forties and the 2026 World Cup. His right foot still resembles a deluxe beanbag, the sharpness of his mind like that of a professional Tetris player, expertly sorting the problems and angles that come his way into one neat pile. “I’d like to keep playing forever, but there probably will come a time where I’ll have to hang up my boots,” responded Modric to Repice. “I’ll keep playing on, I’m not sure for how much longer.”
Croatia are not yet out, but need an unlikely series of results from matches this week to see them squeeze through as one of the four best third-placed teams. If this is the end for Modric in the famous red and white chequered shirt, then it’s still a pretty good way to go out, even in what feels like a defeat.
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Join Scott Murray at 5pm BST for updates on France 2-0 Poland, while Barry Glendenning will be on hand at the same time for Netherlands 2-2 Austria. And at 8pm BST John Brewin will be covering Denmark 2-1 Serbia and Rob Smyth will be all over England 1-0 Slovenia.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
We’re getting soaked. It’s like being at the Ally Pally” – Danny Murphy is the latest victim of fans throwing full pints of Tin in the air when a goal is scored at the Euros. On this occasion it was Luka Modric who caused the BBC co-commentator to get drenched.
EURO 2024 DAILY LETTERS
I am so pleased that you awarded 24 June prizeless letter o’ the day to Justin Kavanagh. His literary masterpiece was the funniest, most brilliant (yet true), letter I have read in ages. Thank you for the laughter – and the truth” –
Justin KavanaghGeorge Affeldt.
That’s very funny Justin, but I would argue we probably know more about about Stonehenge’s formation than we do of our current midfield!” – David Sheldrake.
Re: Monday’s Euro food and drink b@ntz. Many years ago I was on holiday in north west Romania, in the mountains not far from the Hungarian border. Upon arriving at our remote guest house, the kindly old gentleman who owned the place greeted us with a shot of palinka, which was home made. It was eye-wateringly strong, burning the lining of my throat on the way down. I smiled and gave a thumbs up though as I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. That day I put my son in the baby sling on my back and walked down the mountain and back up. It was roasting hot and I was salivating at the thought of a cold beer from the bar when I got back. As I walked in the door, red faced and sweating, the old man greeted me with an extra large glass of palinka. Which I had to down and smile despite the rising sick in my stomach. So palinka better than whiskey? Maybe. Better than a cold pint on a roasting hot day? Definitely not” – Eoin Balfe.
Sunderland’s new appointment (Beyond the Euros – 24 June full email edition) means that they now have Kyril and Regis in place as chief suit and manager respectively. Could they become cult heroes just as their near namesake did at West Brom and Coventry?” – Deryck Hall.
Send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day winner is … Deryck Hall (despite his letter not having anything to do with the Euros). Terms and conditions for our competitions can be viewed here.
A MESSAGE FROM THE MAN
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• This is an extract from our daily Euros football email … Euro 2024 Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.
