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Don vs. Luca
Two stars, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo, stole the spotlight before the opening whistle as BMO Field turned into a theater of loyalty and memories on the eve of the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 clash between Croatia and Portugal.
On Friday night, Platform X was filled with stunning footage documenting the moment the Croatia captain approached his former team-mate as players lined up for the traditional handshake.
Modric didn’t settle for a cursory handshake, but instead embraced Ronaldo warmly in a scene that summed up their six years of glory together in a Real Madrid shirt.
The heat of the game didn’t stop there as the cameras captured another hug between the two legends as Norwegian referee Espen Eskuse conducted the toss to select kick-off.
Signs of happiness and satisfaction appeared on the couple’s faces, as if they had momentarily returned to the days of the Santiago Bernabeu.
This match recalls the golden era that the two royal clubs experienced when Modric and Ronaldo teamed up for six seasons, during which they won historic titles, most notably the Champions League, before professional paths separated them and the passion for the World Cup brought them back together.
Within hours, the shot became a topic of conversation among fans on social media, with followers calling it a “picture of human heroism” that affirms that football is more than just a competition and that respect between adults cannot be erased by years or the turning of stadiums.
The hug of Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo.
I cried a lot 🥹🥹💔 pic.twitter.com/CSAE4VfCAB
— (fan) REAL MADRID FANS 🤍 (@AdriRM33) July 2, 2026
