World Cup 2022: Modric Admits Stopping Messi Is Not Going to Be Easy

• Luka Modric has conceded that Croatia are going to find it difficult to stop Lionel Messi
• The two nations meet in one of the World Cup semi-finals with a spot in the final at stake
• This will be Modric's 27th meeting with Messi, with the majority of those coming in La Liga

Croatia talisman Luka Modric has made clear his feelings about facing Lionel Messi at the World Cup.

The two experienced football stars are scheduled to face each other in one of the semi-finals of the tournament in Qatar.

Modric helped the Vatreni book a spot in the last four of the competition, after they secured an epic win over Brazil in the quarter-finals.

Argentina meanwhile, had to rely on Messi's magic to sail through, with La Abiceleste having to overcome a stubborn the Netherlands side in the last eight.

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Modric on facing Messi

Modric has now come out to admit that the prospect of facing Messi at the World Cup does not stir him up.

According to the Real Madrid midfield maestro, the Argentine is the only player he was not looking forward to meeting in the tournament.

However, the former Tottenham Hotspur ace was quick to disclose Croatia's desire to see off the South Americans to reach the final.

“Argentina are a big team. I don't just want to play against one player. Of course, Leo Messi is very big, their best player, and we're going to have a lot of difficulties stopping him," Modric said via Sportskeeda.

Modric believes that his country are prepared for the challenge however, and will give it their all to reach the World Cup final.

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"Let's go to try to make the best match of the tournament of our lives. I hope it will be enough to be in the final," he added.

How Modric helped Croatia goalkeeper

Sports Brief also reported on Modric revealing how he helped Dominik Livakovic, ahead of the Croatian goalkeeper's efforts in the penalty shootout against Brazil.

Modric let his experience play an influential role in the quarter-final clash, having faced numerous opposition players while in action for Real Madrid.

"I know where [Casemiro] would have shot his penalty. Livakovic went in the right direction but Case is too good," he told reporters.