Real Madrid legend Luka Modric admits Lionel Messi made him “suffer a lot”

Real Madrid legend Luka Modric admits Lionel Messi made him “suffer a lot” Luka Modric has offered a revealing reflection on his long rivalry with Lionel Messi following the Barcelona legend’s farewell to international football . Notably, the former Real Madrid midfielder faced Messi 27 times during his career, including meetings in El Clasico and international football.  Their head-to-head record makes for difficult reading from Modric’s perspective, with the Croatian winning 10, drawing five and losing 12 of those encounters. Now playing for AC Milan, Modric spoke to Cadena SER about Messi’s decision to bring his Argentina career to an end and admitted just how difficult it was to face the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Luka Modric on Lionel Messi: “Suffered a lot against him” Modric was unequivocal when reflecting on the challenge of playing against Messi over so many years, stating, Messi and Modric played against each other on club and international level. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) “What can I say about him? It’s a shame he’s retiring, but it’s his decision and we have to respect it.  “He’s achieved something incredible with the national team; he’s won the World Cup he wanted so much. “He’s one of the best players in the world, a one-of-a-kind player, and it’s been a pleasure to watch him play, even though I’ve suffered a lot against him, both with Croatia and with Real Madrid.  “I wish him the best of luck,” he noted. Lionel Messi farewell prompts Real Madrid legend’s tribute Modric has nothing but admiration for Lionel Messi. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) For what it is worth, Modric’s comments were more about admiration than rivalry. Despite the difficult encounters, the Croatian described Messi as a unique player and highlighted the achievement that had long eluded him with Argentina: winning the World Cup. That triumph in Qatar, against France, completed Messi’s international story after years of criticism and disappointment with the national team.  Modric acknowledged the significance of that achievement while respecting the Argentine’s decision to step away.