First Ronaldo and now Modric: Mbappe shows admiration for Real Madrid legends

Kylian Mbappe continued his recent show of admiration towards some of the game's biggest stars as he sent a message to Luka Modric after their meeting in the UEFA Nations League on Wednesday night.

It was Mbappe who fired the winner in the 79th minute to keep up France's unbeaten start in the competition, and after the game he addressed the Real Madrid midfielder on social media.

"Total respect, Luka Modric," the 21-year-old posted, with an adjoining photo of him embracing the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner at the final whistle.

"And the same to you, superstar," Modric replied.

The match itself - a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final- was an entertaining affair, and just as in that final, both Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann were able to get themselves on the scoresheet for France.

It was Barcelona's Griezmann that opened the scoring after just eight minutes, crashing in a powerful effort off the underside of the bar.

It took until the 64th minute for the Croatians to get on terms, with CSKA Moscow's Nikola Vlasic poking in past Hugo Lloris.

But then Mbappe took over, converting his 16th international goal from Lucas Digne's terrific cross.

Croatia should really have levelled the game up again in injury time, but Andrej Kramaric could only scuff his shot when in a good position to find the back of the net.

It remains to be seen if Mbappe and Modric will one day play in the same team together.

Mbappe has long been a target for Modric's Real Madrid, but with that move yet to be completed and the Croatian in the twilight of his career, it may be that these two greats of the game only ever meet in opposition.

In the other game in Group A3, Portugal saw off Sweden 3-0, with new Liverpool signing Diogo Jota grabbing a double.