Ronaldo vs Modric: Two Legends, One Last World Cup Dance in Toronto
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Football is about to say goodbye to a golden era. When Portugal meet Croatia in the Round of 32 on Thursday night, everything points to Ronaldo vs Modric, two former Real Madrid teammates, both past 40, almost certainly playing their final World Cup. By the time the whistle blows in Toronto, one of them will have played his last game on this stage.
It is a rematch of the Euro 2016 final, the night Portugal edged Croatia to win their first major title. Ten years on, Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41, and Luka Modric, now 40, are still here. Still captains. Still refusing to let go.
Ronaldo vs Modric: What is at stake
This is single elimination. Win and you reach the Round of 16. Lose and you go home, most likely for good. The winner earns a July 6 meeting in Dallas with the winner of Spain vs Austria.
Neither side rolls in on form. Portugal drew with DR Congo and Colombia and only truly sparked in a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan. Croatia lost 4-2 to England, then had to grind out results against Panama and Ghana. Portugal are slight favourites, but this has the feel of a tense, cagey knockout that could go the distance.
Why this one cuts deep
Ronaldo and Modric shared a dressing room at Real Madrid from 2012 to 2018 and lifted four Champions League titles together. Between them they hold six Ballon d’Or awards. Across nine tournaments they have played 47 World Cup matches. Thursday could be the final page for one of them, and everyone around the game feels it.
The Ronaldo question
Here is the number driving every headline. In eight World Cup knockout matches, Cristiano Ronaldo has never scored. Not once. Thursday is his ninth, and perhaps his last chance to change that.
He struck twice in the group stage, both against Uzbekistan, but Colombia and DR Congo shut him down. The wider numbers explain the worry: he has created zero chances for teammates so far and sits near the bottom among forwards for touches and progressive passes, according to ESPN’s tournament data. Croatia are disciplined and set up to isolate him. If Portugal are to break through, the midfield of Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Joao Neves may have to carry them.
Modric, meanwhile, keeps defying time. At 40 he remains Croatia’s heartbeat, with an assist and five chances created already, and he ran the show in the win over Ghana.
What they are saying
Portugal midfielder Vitinha summed up the mood. He called Ronaldo and Modric
two great icons of world football
then admitted he hopes
tomorrow [Modric] will be a little sadder than I am.
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez was full of praise for the Croatia captain.
Luka Modric is an example for millions of young athletes he said.
The longevity both he and our captain have shown makes them icons of the sport.
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic kept it short. “The team and I will do everything possible to help Luka continue his journey.”
What happens next
The winner moves into the Round of 16 and that July 6 tie in Dallas against Spain or Austria. You can see the full knockout picture on our World Cup 2026 bracket and every fixture on the Round of 32 page. To see where Ronaldo ranks among this tournament’s scorers, check the Golden Boot race, and for our full score call, read our Portugal vs Croatia prediction. Official team and match details are on FIFA’s site.
Whatever happens in Toronto, savour it. Players like these do not come around often, and we may not see either of them at a World Cup again.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Portugal vs Croatia so special? It is a rematch of the Euro 2016 final and likely the last World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, and Luka Modric, 40, two legends of the modern game.
Has Ronaldo ever scored in a World Cup knockout game? No. Across eight knockout appearances he has never found the net. Thursday’s tie with Croatia is his ninth.
When and where is Portugal vs Croatia? Thursday, July 2, at 7pm ET at BMO Field in Toronto.
Who does the winner play in the Round of 16? The winner faces the winner of Spain vs Austria on July 6 in Dallas.
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