Zagreb, May 26 (IANS): Luka Modric and his UEFA Champions League football victory with Real Madrid were main topics at the Croatian football camp in the Austrian resort of Bad Tatzmannsdorf for the next month's FIFA World Cup.
Teammates were all praise for Modric's exploits that saw Real Madrid claw back into the match in Lisbon Saturday night. It was from Modric's corner-kick that Sergio Ramos headed past Atletico's goalkeeper Curtois for the equaliser in the 93rd minute to stretch the match into extra-time and won 4-1, reports Xingha.
"Luka (Modric) played excellent, especially in the second half and extra time. He was all over the field. He was perfect like he was throughout the whole season. This is a reward for everything that he was doing in the last two years," Croatian coach Niko Kovac said Sunday.
Modric's teammate Ivica Olic, who came close to lifting the trophy in 2012 when Bayern Munich lost the final against Chelsea on penalties, said he wanted to see the trophy in his compatriot's hand.
"We are all happy for Luka. We wanted to see the trophy in his hands," said the forward.
Another of Modric's Croatian teammate, Ivan Perisic, who plays for German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, said Real Madrid deserved the trophy.
"Real Madrid deserved this trophy because they were the best team in UEFA Champions League. I want to congratulate Luka (Modric) on his performance and I hope that he will play for Croatia at the World Cup as he did for Real Madrid," he said.
While his teammates were going through hard drills in Austria, Modric was celebrating in the Madrid.
"I was out until 8 am when Gareth Bale drove me home. I thought that I will go to sleep but there was another party at my house where family and friends were waiting for me," Modric told Sportske novosti, Croatian daily sports newspaper.
Croatian coach Kovac gave Modric four days to rest and the Real Madrid star will join national team in Croatia for a friendly match against Mali, May 31.