Lothar Matthäus Praises Luka Modrić and Backs Croatia for Euro 2024 Glory

German football legend Lothar Matthäus, who captained West Germany to victory in the 1990 World Cup, has expressed his admiration for Croatian captain Luka Modrić and believes Croatia has the potential to win the Euro 2024 championship.

Matthäus, 63, who was a guest at the Dalmatinski Cup in Zadar, Croatia, praised Modrić's contributions to football, describing him as "the face of Croatian football for the last 20 years." He highlighted Modrić's leadership qualities, stating, "He is a great captain, leader, makes football more interesting and people happier. And he's the same at Real Madrid. He's an idol for young people, not just on the pitch, but also off it, and in Croatia, he has a heroic status. He's got both feet firmly on the ground. I would have loved to have played with him."

Looking ahead to Euro 2024, Matthäus expressed confidence in Germany's chances but also backed Croatia to perform well. "In Germany, we are very happy with our team and expect better results than in recent major tournaments. Germany definitely has a team that can win the title, just like 5-6 other teams. Among them is Croatia. You've been consistently among the top four and I think you can repeat that."

Matthäus also acknowledged other strong contenders for the championship, including England and France, while suggesting that Albania could be a surprise package. "When you look at the quality of the entire squad, you have to say England and France because they have 25 top players. However, you don't need 25 players to win the title, but 15-16. Germany has a good chance. They have experience, talent, and fast players. Why not say Albania could surprise? You saw Morocco at the last World Cup. Nobody expected them to reach the semifinals. Not all favorites will make it to the quarterfinals this time either. There will be surprises."

In addition to his Euro 2024 predictions, Matthäus shared his thoughts on the upcoming Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. He noted that Real Madrid is the favorite but acknowledged Borussia Dortmund's capabilities. Matthäus' comments came during his visit to Croatia, where he praised the country, its people, and the weather.

Lothar Matthäus, a revered figure in football history, continues to influence the sport with his insights and predictions. His admiration for Luka Modrić and belief in Croatia's potential add an exciting dimension to the upcoming Euro 2024 championship.

Key Takeaways

• Lothar Matthäus praises Luka Modrić as "the face of Croatian football" for 20 years.
• Matthäus backs Croatia to win Euro 2024, citing their consistent top-four performances.
• He also tips Germany, England, and France as strong contenders for the title.
• Matthäus suggests Albania could be a surprise package in Euro 2024.
• He favors Real Madrid to win the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.