​When Portugal faced Croatia in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32, referee Espen Eskås helped ease the tension with a lighthearted moment that only Ronaldo and Modrić could truly appreciate before kickoff. The joke, captured by Eskås on his point‑of‑view camera, offered a touch of levity as the two aging superstars prepared for what could be their final appearances at the Finals, a notion that weighed heavily in the buildup to the match.
At 38, Eskås was, remarkably, the youngest among the World Cup’s elder statesmen on that day, in a tournament where most of the standout performers were in their 20s or younger. The 2026 edition has featured talents such as Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yamal, who have increasingly defined the on-pitch narrative of the tournament. Yet the spotlight before the Portugal-Croatia clash centered on Ronaldo, 41, and Modrić, 40, whose careers have spanned more than a decade of European football excellence.
The moment occurred in the moments leading up to Portugal’s 2‑1 victory over Croatia in the Round of 32. There was already intense discussion about the longevity and late‑career trajectories of Ronaldo and Modrić, both icons who have continued to influence games at the highest level well into their 30s and beyond. Eskås used a touch of humor to acknowledge the situation, and the exchange was relayed by Mirror US, highlighting how the Norwegian official’s quip lightened the mood.
Eskås found himself sharing a moment of humor with two players older than himself, prompting him to quip, “Finally, I’m with two guys older than me also.” The line drew laughter from Modrić and Ronaldo, who exchanged smiles as the whistle about to begin the match loomed. Born in Oslo in 1988, Eskås has held FIFA referee status since 2017 and has been at the center of several high‑profile decisions during the tournament. Earlier in the group stage, he refereed Uruguay’s 2‑2 draw with Cape Verde on June 22, issuing four yellow cards in that match and producing a memorable sequence of cards to both sides.
On July 3, Eskås was in charge of the Ronaldo–Modrić game, a fixture that included a crucial moment when he awarded a penalty, converted by Ronaldo to open Portugal’s scoring in the match. The referee’s camera moment with the two stars added a human note to what was otherwise a high‑stakes confrontation between two of Europe’s most decorated nations.
Ronaldo and Modrić share a storied history as former Real Madrid teammates, having clinched the UEFA Champions League title together on four occasions. The camera’s lens captured the pair sharing a laugh before the day’s contest would ultimately decide which of them would advance and which would be eliminated from the tournament. Modrić, Croatia’s most decorated player, has featured in every World Cup Croatia has qualified for over the past two decades, and his status as the country’s oldest European Championship goalscorer and their record appearance holder underscores his enduring influence on the national team. Ronaldo, for his part, appeared in Portugal’s final group-stage match against Spain before their Round of 16 exit. After the game, Ronaldo confirmed that this would likely be his last World Cup, adding another layer of finality to his storied international career.
Portugal’s captain and all‑time leading scorer, Ronaldo’s 233‑cap career stands as a testament to his longevity and impact across the global game. He has amassed the distinction of scoring in six different World Cups, a rare achievement that underscores his enduring influence and the high expectations that follow him wherever he plays. In a tournament that has spotlighted younger talents, Ronaldo’s presence at six World Cups highlights the dwindling number of players who can claim such longevity at the sport’s highest level.