The match between Spain and Croatia featured a special moment involving Croatian star Luka Modrić, who started the game on the bench before coming on in the closing minutes.
Croatia's manager decided to rest Luka Modrić and not burden him with extra minutes, before bringing him on in the 81st minute, when Spain were leading 3-1, in a final attempt to change the course of the match, despite the difficulty of coming back at that time.
As soon as Luka Modrić stepped onto the pitch at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Spanish fans stood up to greet him, showering him with applause and chants in appreciation of his exceptional football career, in a scene that reflects the great status the player holds among football fans.
Luka Modrić did not just receive the applause, but after the match, he made sure to send a message of thanks to the Spanish fans. He posted a picture from the match on his Instagram account showing him applauding the fans, with the caption: "Thank you very much Spain," accompanied by a red heart and the flag of Spain.
This moment comes as Luka Modrić approaches the end of his playing career, as the Croatian star continues to play his final matches, amidst widespread appreciation for his career and what he has contributed over the past years.
Such stances confirm that Luka Modrić is valued beyond the shirt he wears, especially after the historic achievements he has accomplished with Real Madrid.
