Luka Modric’s epic 6-word tweet after incredible comeback in 2022 resurfaces after likely Euro 2024 group stage exit with Croatia

Luka Modric's six-word tweet from 2022 has resurfaced after Italy all but knocked Croatia out of Euro 2024 following a 1-1 draw on Monday, June 24. Modric wrote the tweet after Real Madrid's last-minute comeback against Chelsea in the 2021-22 Champions League quarterfinal to win 5-4 on aggregate.

"Giving up is not an option," Modric's 2022 post read.

On April 13, 2022, Los Blancos knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League despite a 3-2 loss in the quarterfinal second leg. Modric played a key role in Madrid's efforts on the night, having assisted a goal from Rodrygo late on.

The first leg had ended 3-1 in Madrid's favor, but Chelsea's remontada left them trailing in the second leg by a 3-0 scoreline. Los Blancos made an epic comeback with Rodrygo scoring in the 80th minute before Karim Benzema's stoppage-time goal (90+6') sealed the deal for the Spanish giants.

Despite luck not being on his side in Croatia's 1-1 draw with Italy on Monday, the Real Madrid midfielder put in an inspiring perfromance. Although he missed a penalty in the second half, the 38-year-old scored just a minute later, which would have been enough for his side to qualify for the knockouts if not for Italy's late equalizer. Modric was awarded the Player of the Match award for his efforts.

His tweet from 2022 is somewhat ironic in the current scenario, given that the Italians seemed to have followed his advice.

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Luka Modric's goal against Italy at Euro 2024 makes him the oldest goalscorer in the competition's history

Croatia v Italy: Group B - UEFA EURO 2024 (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Although Luka Modric's Croatia were knocked out of Euro 2024, his goal against Italy in their final group stage game marked a personal milestone for him. The midfield maestro became the oldest player to score at the Euros at the age of 38 years and 289 days, surpassing Austria's Ivica Vastic.

Croatia were awarded a penalty in the second half after Italian defender Davide Frattesi was booked for a handball. Modric took the spot kick but it was skillfully saved by a sprawling Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Soon after, Ante Budimir did his best to turn in a cross but Donnarumma made another fine save. However, Luka Modric was in the right place at the right time and he made no mistake as Croatia took the lead in the 55th minute.

Unfortunately for Croatia, things did not go their way in the end as Mattia Zaccagni scored an equalizer for the Italians in the dying moments of stoppage time (90+8'). Croatia's qualification to the Euro 2024 Round of 16 as a third-placed team now depends on other results.