Luka Modric and Casemiro have faced off just ONCE on the international stage... but now the former Real Madrid team-mates will battle it out for a spot in the World Cup semi-finals as Croatia take on Brazil
- Five-time winners Brazil play Croatia in the World Cup quarter-finals on Friday
- Former team-mates Luka Modric and Casemiro will face off against each other
- The Real Madrid legends forged a sensational midfield alongside Toni Kroos
- Casemiro left Real Madrid to join Manchester United for £70million this summer
- The pair have only played against each other once on the international stage
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Penny for the thoughts of Toni Kroos. Curious days, these, for the former Germany midfielder – back at work with Real Madrid, while the eyes of the world are trained elsewhere. On Qatar, where two old friends have organised a reunion without him.
On Friday afternoon, Casemiro and Luka Modric will be back on the same pitch, for the first time since the Brazilian joined Manchester United, breaking up the finest midfield of recent times.
Together with Kroos, Casemiro and Modric conquered all at the Bernabeu. They formed the bedrock of a Madrid side that won four of the past seven Champions League finals, resisting between them both national stereotypes and the clutches of Father Time.
![Luka Modric and Casemiro have only played against each other once internationally - in 2018](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/08/17/65387965-11517923-image-a-58_1670521331946.jpg)
Luka Modric and Casemiro have only played against each other once internationally - in 2018
![The pair were team-mates at Real Madrid before Casemiro's move to Man United this summer](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/08/17/65388521-11517923-image-a-60_1670521950359.jpg)
The pair were team-mates at Real Madrid before Casemiro's move to Man United this summer
'Casemiro (was) a key player for us,' Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said during the midfielder's final days in Spain. 'He was important to Kroos and Modric – the combination was key to success.'
It worked both ways. Casemiro was asked recently to pick his preferred midfield partners for Brazil. 'Luka Modric and Toni Kroos,' he laughed.
Only once before have he and Modric met in international football. That was a friendly, at Anfield in 2018.
This means rather more: only one of Brazil or Croatia can reach the World Cup semi-finals, and pivotal to deciding Friday's clash will be the battle in midfield.
![Toni Kroos (L), Casemiro (C) and Modric (R) became one of the strongest midfields in football](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/08/17/65388441-11517923-image-a-59_1670521856064.jpg)
Toni Kroos (L), Casemiro (C) and Modric (R) became one of the strongest midfields in football
At 37, after 159 caps, Modric remains his nation's beating heart. Croatia's captain has missed only 25 minutes over four matches in Qatar, as they grind their way towards more history.
It hasn't been pretty but stardust continues to fall from his slight frame. Modric won the Ballon d'Or following the last World Cup; four years on, it's Casemiro being hailed as the best midfielder on the planet.
The 30-year-old is tasked with anchoring a Brazil side brimming with attacking talent. And occasionally stepping up when they stumble. It was his stunning strike that downed Switzerland and took the five-time winners into the knockout rounds.
![The pair will face off against each other as Brazil play Croatia in the quarter-finals on Friday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/08/17/65388573-11517923-image-a-61_1670522050523.jpg)
The pair will face off against each other as Brazil play Croatia in the quarter-finals on Friday
Over nine seasons at Madrid, Casemiro and Modric grew to know each other's secrets and, perhaps, their blind spots, too.
They played 259 matches and nearly 17,500 minutes beside one another. No other team-mate, for any side, has lined up alongside the Brazilian more often, with the exception of Karim Benzema (265 matches).
Now, Casemiro and Modric are growing used to life apart.
But it is a mark of the bonds they forged that before the Brazilian left for Manchester in August, Modric wrote him a parting letter. So did Kroos.
![Casemiro, 30, is tasked with anchoring a Brazil side brimming with attacking talent in midfield](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/08/17/65388641-11517923-image-a-62_1670522104621.jpg)
Casemiro, 30, is tasked with anchoring a Brazil side brimming with attacking talent in midfield
'Neither of us could imagine what football had in store for us,' the Croatian wrote. 'You have been the best bodyguard in the world. I'm going to miss you.'
In Doha, pleasantries will be put to one side and roles will be reversed. This time, Casemiro will have to shackle Modric; the Croatian will have to find protection elsewhere.
Fortunately, Modric has had a taste of life with Casemiro on his case. Behind closed doors at Madrid, the Brazilian wouldn't give his pals a moment's respite. Just ask Kroos.
'It was impossible not to break a sweat, in any situation. Because you wouldn't let us relax even in the Turkish bath,' he wrote. 'With you, even the Turkish bath was a gym. And you only allow people to lie down when it's time to do sit-ups.' Modric can expect more of the same on Friday.
![Modric, 37, remains Croatia's most creative player having led his country to the final in 2018](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/08/17/65388697-11517923-image-a-63_1670522278062.jpg)
Modric, 37, remains Croatia's most creative player having led his country to the final in 2018
'Casemiro knows that if he can stop his mate, Croatia will be severely blunted. It promises to be a fascinating, crucial tussle. A physical mismatch. That has never bothered Modric but if anyone has found other glints in his armour, it is surely Casemiro.
'We have won a lot together, but I keep the moments that nobody sees,' he wrote. 'Especially with the jokes… those laughs with you gave me peace of mind,' Modric added.
'I'm going to miss you, but I wish you the best.' Just not on Friday.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/02/636x90_facebook_ad_sport.png)
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