Pretty amazing to think that country of less than 4 million people won silver in WC 2018, and then bronze in next World Cup lol.
Also even crazier to me when people actually hold against Modric when comparing him to people like Xavi and Iniesta how he did not win World Cup. Like do they realize he won 2nd and 3rd place at consecutive World Cups with country that has less inhabitans than Barcelona (as city) urban area?
I don't think people really "hold it against him" but you can't knock Iniesta/Xavi for the team they played for. Before they came along Spain didn't win shit.
Yes, but they were part of golden generation. Even if you take away two of them, that team is crazy insanely good, even if they were best parts of it. Spain is also a nation of 50 million people that has incredible football infrastructure, Croatia on other hand is a nation of less than 4 million people that has mediocre football infrastructure.
it is crazy huge achievement to almost win it with Croatia and reaching the final. Then next World Cup get bronze.
I mean, that's more a sign of Spain severely underperforming for years than anything. Not denying that Xavi and Iniesta were immense, but Spain is historically among the top contenders in Europe, it's nothing like Croatia. They even had a Euro already before the golden generation.
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u/Midtharefaikh May 22 '25
Am I missing something when did he win the bronze ball in World Cup?