Brazil coach Ancelotti gets personal with Modric with dreams of World Cup: “Brazilian grandfather?”
At 40, Luka Modric still looks at home among Brazil’s stars, as Carlo Ancelotti jokes about one last call-up after an emotional reunion in Orlando.
Even after 276 games together, Carlo Ancelotti still wanted more.
“Luka, don’t you have a Brazilian grandfather?” he quipped to Luka Modric on the field at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, where Brazil had just beaten Croatia 3-1. Modric, wearing No. 10, spent an hour on the pitch before being substituted against players who were once his teammates and his former manager, all of whom greeted him warmly and showed their appreciation after the final whistle.
His soccer for Milan and Croatia at age 40 remains so sharp that Ancelotti joked about how he might call Modric up one last time.
That was how the Italian briefly interrupted the reunion between Modric and Vinicius Junior. The coach and the No. 10 spoke for a while and even posed for a photo that Vinicius also joined. Endrick then became part of that conversation between playmakers. Despite the age gap – the Real Madrid forward is 19 – there was obvious chemistry between them. Laughing, the young striker lifted Modric into the air. “What’s up, daddy?” he joked with the veteran midfielder, before saying goodbye with a big hug and receiving his blessing for the rest of the season between Lyon and the World Cup: “Good luck.”
Another who went over to greet him on the field in Florida was his longtime bodyguard for more than 17,000 minutes in their careers together – Casemiro. The now-Manchester United player watched Modric’s reunion with Ancelotti with a huge smile. It was the kind of smile that brought back memories of triumphs and glory in Madrid.
Endrick and Vinicius drive 3-1 win
Brazil beat Croatia in its final friendly before Ancelotti names his squad for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, which begins in June.
Vinicius and Endrick were among Brazil’s standout performers. The winger, who put to rest any concerns over a minor knock, set up Danilo for the opening goal. Endrick was Brazil’s best player. He came on in the 76th minute for Matheus Cunha, won the penalty that Igor Thiago converted for 2-1, and then provided the assist for Gabriel Martinelli to seal the game at 3-1 in stoppage time. Croatia’s goal was scored by Lovro Majer.
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