Luka Modric's World Cup dream comes to an end after sharing stage with Lionel Messi

LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Luka Modric pulled his shirt up over his face as he trudged over to sideline.

Croatia’s red-and-white-cl fans recognized sorrowful significance of moment and rose up to applaud diminutive midfielder who is probably ir nation’s greatest ever player.

Argentina’s boisterous supporters soon followed suit at Lusail Stium, horing an opponent who is likely appearing at his last World Cup.

Substituted in 81st minute on Tuesday, with his team trailing by three goals, it effectively marked end of Modric's World Cup era. Croatia ended up losing to Argentina 3-0 in semifinals, four years after team lost to France in final.

Modric was somber as he was replaced by Lovro Majer before calmly taking his seat in dugout. re was grand gesture to crowd or outpouring of emotion for a man whose understated brilliance can still be overlooked despite everything he has achieved.

second most famous 37-year-old at World Cup is going home, a few days after or one.

Modric is same as former Real Mrid teammate Cristia Ronaldo, but as both men approach twilight of ir trophy-len careers, contrast is stark. That was particularly evident leing up to and during World Cup.

While Ronaldo hogged limelight with his explosive eve-of--tournament interview with Piers Morgan, Modric expressed himself on field.

After leing Croatia to final in Russia, he was again inspiration as a nation with a population of about 4 million me it to semifinals for second straight World Cup.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo, amid distraction of his exit from Manchester United and possible transfer to a club in Saudi Arabia, ended up benched and in tears as Portugal’s hopes were ended by Morocco in quarterfinals.

In Croatia's quarterfinal match, Modric played his part in eliminating Brazil — and Neymar. But he couldn't do anything to stop Lionel Messi on his personal mission to finally win soccer’s biggest trophy. Messi scored opening goal from penalty spot on Tuesday, and n produced a piece of magic to set up second of Julian Alvarez’s two goals.

But Messi wasn't only iconic figure on display at Lusail Stium.

Surely regarded by many as Croatia’s finest, Modric also ranks alongside best midfielders to ever play game. A five-time Champions League winner with Real Mrid, he also won soccer’s ultimate individual prize in 2018.

And his performances in Qatar show he still has more to give. He may yet play again for his national team at 2024 European Championship with one final bow for his country. And who would rule out more trophies with Real Mrid?

Wherever Modric's story goes from here, his status as a World Cup great is secure.

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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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AP World Cup cover: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports