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Cristiano Ronaldo showed his true colours with what he said to Luka Modric after VAR controversy

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal scraped through their World Cup clash with Croatia, leaving Luka Modric visibly distraught

[Cristiano Ronaldo consoles Luka Modric at World Cup 2026 after Portugal's win over Croatia]

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Cristiano Ronaldo consoled Luka Modric at World Cup 2026 after Portugal's win over Croatia(Image: BBC)

Cristiano Ronaldo showed his compassionate side by embracing and consoling Luka Modric after Croatia's agonising defeat by Portugal. Former Real Madrid team-mates Ronaldo and Modric, aged 41 and 40 respectively, faced off in a thrilling World Cup last 32 clash on Thursday evening.

Ronaldo's Portugal punched their ticket to the last-16 in dramatic fashion, winning 2-1 in Toronto. Having gone behind after Ivan Perisic's opener, the Al-Nassr star had a goal disallowed for offside on the hour mark before managing to break his World Cup knockout goal drought from the penalty spot.

He was boldly taken off by Portugal manager Roberto Martinez late on, which proved decisive as his replacement Goncalo Ramos grabbed the 94th-minute winner. But there was even more drama late on as Croatias Josko Gvardiol netted in the 103rd minute, only to have his equaliser controversially chalked off by VAR.

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Croatia's players were left utterly crestfallen and reduced to tears at the final whistle. Their veteran captain Modric, who likely had just made his final World Cup appearance after 202 caps, cut a devastated figure.

But Ronaldo stepped up to comfort him when he needed it most, having grown close to the AC Milan star during their six trophy-laden years together in Spain. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner hugged Modric several times and offered some warm words to his fellow Los Blancos legend.

Later, revealing what he told Modric in his post-match interview, Ronaldo continued to sing his praises, saying: "I played with Luka so many matches and we are nearly the same age. He is a legend of football.

[Luka Modric embraced by Cristiano Ronaldo after his last World Cup game]

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Modric was left dejected after bowing out of the World Cup by the narrowest of margins(Image: Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press v)

"I said to him, 'Congratulations for everything. I would love to see you again and all the best for the next years of your career'. It was nice to play him once again."

The Premier League greats won four Champions League trophies as well as La Liga and Copa del Rey. But Ronaldo is hoping to add the one missing trophy from his glittering career to his cabinet this month - the World Cup.

Portugal will next face reigning European champions Spain on Monday in Dallas, Texas, for a place in the quarter-finals.

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