Is Modric the best midfielder in this WC?

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic is prepared to make changes for Sunday's World Cup final against France if some of his players have not recovered from their exertions in reaching football's biggest game.

Dalic's men have been forced to go through three periods of extra-time against Denmark, Russia and England to become the smallest country in 68 years to make the final.

"Tomorrow is the World Cup final. Simply, the players know what that is," Dalic said on Saturday.

"One thing that brings me happiness is that all my players tell me if they are not 100 percent fit. They will concede and say they are not fit. They know what is at stake, but if they are unable to give their all they will tell us. They have such an attitude."

Ivan Perisic, who scored and set up Mario Mandzukic's winner in a 2-1 semi-final win over England, was among five Croatian players to miss training on Friday.

"We have nothing to train. We need relaxation and rest to gain freshness for tomorrow. We have some minor injuries, minor problems, and I hope my players will be ready. If not, I have great players on the bench who will be raring to go."

Sergio Busquets was showered with praise by the football world after announcing Wednesday he will leave Barcelona in June at the end of his contract, ending a highly successful era at the club.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi, a close friend, wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram.

"On the pitch you were always No 5, but in reality as a player and as a person, you are a 10, Busi," said the Argentine playmaker. "Thank you for everything on and off the pitch."

"The moment has arrived to announce this is my last season at Barcelona," said Busquets on Instagram.

"It has been an unforgettable journey."

Busquets won the Champions League three times with Barcelona and La Liga on eight occasions before this season, with the Catalans set to triumph for the first time in four years.

The 34-year-old has been a key player for Barca since breaking into the first team under then coach Pep Guardiola in 2008, becoming the club's captain in 2021.

Busquets is third Barcelona's all-time appearance list, playing for the club on 718 occasions, lifting 31 trophies

"It has been an honour, a dream, a pride. It has been everything to be able to defend and represent this badge for so many years, but everything has a beginning and an end," said Busquets.

"Although it has not been an easy decision, I think the time has come."

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, who played with Busquets in midfield for several years, wanted the midfielder to stay next season, but said the decision was his.

Busquets' team-mates past and present paid tribute to him on social media after he announced his future lay elsewhere.

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba also showed his affection for the veteran midfielder.

"My friend, after so much we've lived through together, what can I say that you don't know?" wrote Alba on Instagram.

"You're leaving your home, having made an indelible imprint on Barcelona's history.

In this file photo taken on January 22, 2023 Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets poses for pictures with a jersey reading "700" after playing more than 700 matches with FC Barcelona. PHOTO: AFP

"More than 700 games and a fundamental part of so many titles, and glorious nights that all Barca fans will forever remember."

Even rivals paid tribute, with Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric saying: "one of the best players I have played against."

THE FUTURE

"Sergio is part of our badge, and will always have Barca as his home," said Barca president Joan Laporta in a video, implying the player would return one day in a different role.

"He is a Barca fan through his roots and has Barca in his blood -- he will have a longer Barca journey."

In his video, Busquets did not say where he might go next, with Spanish reports suggesting he may move to a team in Saudi Arabia.

Former Barcelona forward Messi is another player who may end up in the oil-rich kingdom after a source close to negotiations told AFP it was a "done deal" for the Argentine forward to move to the Middle East.

However Messi's father and agent Jorge Messi said Tuesday that the World Cup winner's future would only be decided at the end of the season.

Busquets won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012, a key member of the national team for nearly 15 years until he retired from international duty in December.

The midfielder was the only member of the 2010 World Cup winning team who was still part of the squad in Qatar in 2022 as Spain reached the last 16.
 

President Donald Trump tweeted Sunday to congratulate the winning team, President Vladimir Putin, and Russia after the World Cup final, which he called "one of the best ever!"

"Congratulations to France, who played extraordinary soccer, on winning the 2018 World Cup. Additionally, congratulations to President Putin and Russia for putting on a truly great World Cup Tournament one of the best ever!," he wrote on his Twitter account on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, the national team of France defeated Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final match in Moscow to snatch its second World Cup Trophy.

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a Croatian soccer shirt with the name "Putin" printed on the back on Sunday, hours before Croatia play France in the World Cup final in Moscow.

Croatia has been caught up in soccer fever after the Balkan nation of 4.2 million people swept aside more fancied opponents to reach its first ever World Cup final, which Russia is hosting this year.

Grabar-Kitarovic has, herself, entered into the spirit of the occasion, travelling to Russia to watch matches and dressing in the colours of the national flag. Croatia knocked Russia's team out of the competition in the quarter-finals.

At a Kremlin meeting, Putin congratulated the Croatian president on the Croatian team's performance.

"I'm sure we will see a beautiful game today," he said. Grabar-Kitarovic thanked Putin for what she said was the successful organisation of the competition.

Putin presented her with a bouquet of flowers, while she gave the Russian leader the Croatian national shirt.

Adored by football fans all over the world, rivals and supporters alike — Luka Modric is one of the most revered names in modern football. Easily up there amongst the all-time great midfielders, this Croatian is a shining example of a true leader. He may not look like much from the outside but on and off the pitch, he demonstrates all the qualities of a true leader.

Here are 4 leadership lessons all of us could learn from Luka Modric.

Work harder than the rest

The difference between a boss and a leader is that a boss orders you to do something while a leader will lead you to it. This means that the leader has to work harder than everyone does, and Luka Modric does not back away from hard work. Participating in this world cup at 37, an age when many footballers retire, Modric continues to play and he gives it his all until the last whistle. You can tell how challenging it is for him at this age and he looks exhausted after every match but that does not stop him because that is what a true leader would do.

Lead by example

While most leaders will only ask their team members to do a specific task, a true leader will show you how it is done. Modric has certainly led by example. From scoring goals on the big stages when his team needed them, to running back and defending because his team was in trouble, he has done it all and left a footstep for the next generation to follow.

Believe in yourself

You cannot expect other people to believe in you if you do not believe in yourself. Being confident, believing that you can achieve what is needed is something that is imperative and many people overlook. The Croatian captain has shown that he has that belief in himself and his team. Starting out as a refugee, he did not have an easy path but he has proven himself as one of the greatest ever to grace the game of football. From playing in the final of the 2018 World Cup with a team that were termed 'underdogs', to winning the Ballon d'OR, Modric has shown us that nothing is impossible; the quality of a great leader indeed.

Guide the new blood

It is the natural course of things that even the leader has to leave one day, but a great leader will not just abandon his team. He will inspire the younger generations and guide the new blood so they can learn from him and take their place in the team, eventually leading the team to success. Over the years, we have seen how younger players adore and thrive around Modric. Take Brazil's Vinicius and Rodrygo for example. These players were very young when they came in touch with Modric at the club level. Now they are all great players and all of them will admit to how Modric has taught them so many things.