I’m targeting Euro 2024 glory with Real Madrid legend Luka Modric – but first I’m out to KO his Champions League dream

JOSKO GVARDIOL cannot wait to be part of Luka Modric’s curtain call with Croatia this summer.

But first he plans to end his countryman’s hopes of bowing out with yet another Champions League title.

Modric, 38, is expected to retire from international football after Euro 2024 in Germany.

He also looks likely to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season with his former club Dinamo Zagreb among those looking to sign him.

In 12 years at the Bernabeu, the former Tottenham man has won the top Uefa pot FIVE times. 

And he wants one more back in North London to round things off, with the final at Wembley on June 1.

Gvardiol said: “I don’t need to waste my time talking about his qualities as we all know them.

“But he’s an even better person — and a leader on the pitch. This will be his last Euros, the last season for the national team.

“So as a leader and person, I’m really happy I had a chance to play with him and share a dressing room.

“I need to enjoy the last moments with Luka. But it’s also fun to face national team-mates with your club.”

Over the last week, Gvardiol, 22, has scored a couple of goals that Modric would have been proud of.

The defender is settling in nicely at the Etihad after his £77million summer switch from RB Leipzig in Germany but now he wants silverware.

If City are to defend the Champions League trophy they won in Istanbul last June, they will have to do it the hard way.

They must see off 14-time European “kings” Real Madrid in tomorrow’s quarter-final second leg at the Etihad.

The tie is finely poised at 3-3 with Arsenal or Bayern Munich awaiting the winners in the semis.

Gvardiol had not joined City when they first tasted Champions League glory last term  — and he is eager to experience it.

He said: “We are