Ronaldo and Modric prepare for potential final World Cup appearance

The upcoming Friday night matches carry extra emotional weight for two of football’s biggest stars. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, now 39, will be looking to add a World Cup title to an illustrious career that already includes five European Championships. Across the line, Croatia’s Luka Modrić, a former Ballon d’Or winner, will be playing what may be his last tournament after a decade of guiding Croatia to the 2018 final.

Both sides understand that a victory will not only secure progression but also cement their personal legacies. With the round‑of‑32 serving as a gateway to the knockout phase, the pressure is immense and the stakes cannot be higher.