Following the game Luka, one of the greatest midfielders of this generation described his emotions and feelings about the exit and labeled the beautiful game as 'merciless and cruel'.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"We kept battling right until the end but unfortunately football was merciless with us tonight, it was cruel. Above all today but also in our other most recent match when we conceded two late goals.But that\u2019s part and parcel of football. Often it gives you plenty of smiles but on other occasions it makes you very sad as it did today,\" said a heartbroken Modric to reporters in the post game press conference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 38-year old has been Croatia's leader for the past decade which has seen the team reach the finals of the FIFA World Cup. Unfortunately for the side, they will not be progressing to the Round of 16 having not won a single game in the Group Stage. This was also potentially the last time we see the 2018 Ballon d\u2019Or winner represent his country at a major tournament with the World Cup nearly two years away.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"It\u2019s hard to describe the words for how you feel in terms of how I feel, my team-mates feel and what the fans are going through. Football isn\u2019t always kind and the football gods don\u2019t always necessarily smile on us but we should be proud of the way that we represented our country,\" added the Real Madrid star.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Although Croatia have not been officially eliminated, their qualification scenario is highly unlikely. Four of the best third placed teams qualify for the Round of 16 but Croatia\u2019s two point tally makes the scenario extremely difficult.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/06\/euro-2024-modric-calls-football-merciless-and-cruel-after-late-heartbreak-vs-italy.jfif", "alt_img": "Euro 2024: Modric calls football 'merciless and cruel' after late heartbreak vs Italy", "alt_title": "Euro 2024: Modric calls football \u2018merciless and cruel,\u2019 following late heartbreak vs Italy", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Euro 2024: Modric Calls Football 'merciless And Cruel' After Late Heartbreak Vs Italy On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Euro 2024: Modric Calls Football 'merciless And Cruel' After Late Heartbreak Vs Italy, FIFA World Cup: On the night when Luka Modric made history by becoming the oldest player to score in the.", "seo_keywords": "Luka Modric, European Championship, FIFA World Cup, Group Stage, World Cup, Real Madrid, Although Croatia", "tag": "", "tagging": "Luka Modric, European Championship, FIFA World Cup, Group Stage, World Cup, Real Madrid, Although Croatia", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "euro-2024-modric-calls-football-merciless-and-cruel-after-late-heartbreak-vs-italy", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "565", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2024-06-25 11:52:03", "updated": "2024-06-25 11:52:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Luka Modric, European Championship, FIFA World Cup, Group Stage, World Cup, Real Madrid, Although Croatia", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-06-25 11:52:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "football", "cnmid": "919641", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/euro-2024-modric-calls-football-merciless-and-cruel-after-late-heartbreak-vs-italy-16187" }