Luka Modric has recently expressed his admiration for former Argentine midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme, describing him as one of the toughest opponents he has faced in his career.
The Croatian midfielder recalled his debut with the Croatian national team in 2006, in a friendly match against Argentina, where he had the opportunity to face not only Lionel Messi, whom he considers the best player in history, but also Riquelme, who left an extraordinary impression on him.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo , Modric stressed the importance of that match, calling it a key moment in his career.
He said that the coach had warned him about the difficulty of the match, but only when he saw Riquelme up close did he understand the reason for his concern.
“When I saw Riquelme on the pitch, I understood why the coach was worried,” said Modric.
He highlighted the Argentine’s intelligence and vision of the game, emphasizing that the way he analyzed the field and found spaces was exceptional.
“What I admired most was the fact that whenever he had the ball, he scanned the entire pitch, from the closest spaces to the furthest, always looking for a decisive pass,” the Croatian said.
Modric also recalled the difficulties in direct confrontations with him, adding that Riquelme’s unique technique made it almost impossible to get the ball from him.
“He moved with the ball in a very special way. He often made me lose my balance and he would easily get away,” he confessed.
Currently, Riquelme holds the position of president of Boca Juniors, the club where he was formed as a footballer, while Modric continues his career at club level and with the Croatian national team.
Modric has participated in four World Cups (2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022) and is expected to participate in the next edition, ranking among the players with the most appearances in this prestigious competition.
