Croatia fell to Portugal, missing out on the World Cup Round of 16. Modrić was interviewed after the match.
How do you view this match?
Modrić: We can look at this match in two parts. In the first half, we failed to perform at the level we should have and played quite conservatively, but in the second half, we performed exceptionally well, making it one of our best matches recently.
We could have locked in the victory earlier, but we failed to do so. We missed many opportunities, and some things that happened afterward felt unbelievable to me. Since it happened, we just have to accept it. In such hot weather, it is very difficult to give an opinion after the match, and I don't want to say the wrong thing.
We can be proud of our performance in the second half; we deserved a better result. But that's reality, and that's football.
What did the referee say to you after Joško Gvardiol's goal was disallowed?
Modrić: He said Matanović touched the ball, but we reviewed the footage, and there was no indication whatsoever that he touched it. If Matanović didn't touch the ball, then it wasn't offside.
What did Cristiano Ronaldo say to you?
Modrić: Nothing. We just chatted like we usually do, nothing special.
Regarding the current situation (referring to the future and retirement), we want to ask you…
Modrić interrupts the reporter: Now is not the time to talk about this, you will know everything very soon.
Does this count as a huge disappointment?
Modrić: "Yes, because we deserved more. Some things did not go our way. That penalty would never be given if the roles were reversed.
Regarding VAR, ever since it was first introduced, I have said that I don't like it.
It certainly has benefits in some aspects, but currently, it is being used incorrectly or selectively, seemingly based on the strength of the teams or some other factors. VAR should only intervene if it is a 200% obvious error. If it isn't, and it's in a gray area, then there is no need for VAR to step in, because today’s decision should never have been a penalty.
Both sides were pushing and shoving each other; he didn't pull the player but was just holding him, and as a result, they both fell together. This is why a penalty cannot be awarded in a match like this. That is why I say VAR should only be used when a refereeing mistake is 200% clear. If it is in a gray area where the decision could swing either way, there is no need for VAR to intervene.
It frustrates me, and the decisions always go against us. But the result is what it is. We will move forward and won't make excuses for it. However, these kinds of things bother me a lot because they decide your destiny; they determine your state of mind when doing everything: the sacrifices you make, the effort you put in, and the fights you go through. Now there are young players gradually emerging, and at moments like this, you feel guilty for them. And I have to say, it always goes against us.
But it is what it is. I don't want to talk about this right now. We can be proud of our performance, our fighting spirit, and the way we represented Croatia, especially in the second half. This is the Croatia everyone knows, and it is the reason why we are respected and loved all over the world. Anyway, we will move forward. Now it's time to reset, and that's it."
