Rakitic says Modric is tops

CROATIAN STRIKER IS ‘FROM A DIFFERENT PLANET’ He speaks about Spaniard Iniesta in the same breath

Luka Modric comes from a “different planet” and is the best Croatian player in history, according to team-mate and Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic. Modric has been one of the stars of the World Cup so far, scoring twice in Croatia’s opening three games and leading them through to the last-16 as winners of Group D.

They face Denmark tomorrow for a place in the quarterfinals, where Spain and Andres Iniesta could lie in wait.

Rakitic knows Iniesta well, having played with him at Barca, and says he and Modric are each extraordinary talents.

“It seems like both are from a different planet and they came to play football with us mortals here,” Rakitic said yesterday. “Both of them are among the best players ever in their positions. It has been a great honour to play with Andres in the last four years at Barcelona and with Luka for the last 11 years for Croatia.

“You try to enjoy it as much as you can, to learn from them. It’s the best thing that can happen to any player. If I created a football team, I would have both of them in my team.

“Andres is one of my best friends and I see Luka as my big brother.”

Former Croatia midfielder Robert Prosinecki, who earned 49 caps and is considered one of the country’s finest players, has said Modric is their best ever.

“Luka is the best player, but he is a great person, a leader and we are following him,” Rakitic said.

Rakitic and Modric form one of the most formidable midfield pairings at the World Cup and after an impressive start, Croatia are being tipped to go far.

They have not gone past the group stage since 1998, when they made the semifinals and striker Davor Suker finished topscorer.

“We know the team from 1998 was great, they were our idols and they showed the way for each Croatian team afterwards,” Rakitic said. “But we need to forget about that and write our own story. God willing we can achieve the same result, or maybe even more.”

Croatia are favourites to see off Denmark, despite the threat posed by Christian Eriksen, but could face a sterner test in the quarterfinals against Spain, who must first overcome Russia.

“I see Spain above everyone else. They had three difficult games in the group, the confidence they are playing with is one level above everyone else.” – AFP