After the match against Spain, Modric spoke in an interview about Messi's farewell match for the Argentina national team.

On the match:

Yes, I think we showed a good performance for most of the match today, especially in the first half. We played better than our opponents and could have gone into halftime with a 2-0 lead. But the energy, fighting spirit, and overall play shown by the team today met the required standard. We failed to capitalize on our scoring chances, and against a national team like Spain, they will make you pay dearly because they only need a few opportunities to punish you.

However, I believe we can be satisfied, even though losing is always frustrating. After a difficult and painful loss like the one against England, it's very important to respond immediately, show resilience, and play at a high level against one of the world's top teams. I think we managed to do that despite the loss. It's a pity. I believe if we had stayed with 11 players on the field, we wouldn't have lost today. I feel we shouldn't have lost today; based on our performance, we deserved more from this match—at least a draw, or even a win. But as I said, when you don't seize your chances, world-class teams like Spain will punish you, and that's what happened today.

Luka, we never want to see you retire, and we truly hope you can play many more years in football. But tonight, Messi officially said goodbye to the Argentina national team. What are your feelings about his farewell? And what's your secret to eternal youth? We've asked you many times, but you are already 41, and you seem to get better every day. How do you keep going?

Yes, I know today is Messi's farewell match for the national team. What more can be said about him? It's indeed a pity to see him go, but it's his decision, and we must respect it. He achieved incredible things with the national team, winning the World Cup he dreamed of. He is one of the greatest players in world football. It has always been a pleasure to watch him play, even though I suffered a lot as his opponent, both with the national team and with Real Madrid. But watching him play is truly a joy because he is a unique player, and I wish him all the best for the future.

As for me, I really don't know what to tell you. Let's wait and see. I feel good right now; I still have that passion, ambition, and strength—that's how I truly feel. As long as I feel this way, I want to keep playing. How long can I play at this age? I can't give you a precise answer. It could be two or three months, or six months, a year, or two years—I don't know. I don't want to give an answer now and then regret it later. I will take it step by step, game by game, month by month, listen to my body, see how I feel, and then I will make a decision very calmly and peacefully. We'll see how long it lasts, whether this will be the last year of my career or if I will continue to play. I'm not sure yet. But what I can tell you now is that I feel good, and I am still enjoying football.

When it all ends, will you return to Real Madrid? To take on some role, to help in some way?

Obviously, Real Madrid is my home, the club of my life, where I spent 13 years. However, let's see what the future holds. I said in my last interview that if there's an opportunity, I would certainly love to, but only if I can be useful, if I can work for Real Madrid and help as much as I can. But at the same time, I need to be ready and see in what form, what role, whether the club needs me—many conditions must align for me to return there. But let's wait and see; I'm not thinking about any of this right now. I'm fully focused on playing. But as I said before, Real Madrid is my home, and returning there would certainly be a dream. Let's let things happen naturally. If I can find a position where I can add value and feel important after I stop playing, why not? But we'll see. There's plenty of time to think about these things.

AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com