Dalic says Croatia saw the 'true Messi' in World Cup semi-final

failed to reach the

final for the second consecutive time after a 3-0 defeat against

on Tuesday.

Lionel Messi scored the first goal from the penalty spot and provided an assist for the third goal. After the game, Dailc praised Messi and said he has been the best player in the world in the last 15 years.

"Nothing much needs to be said about Messi's qualities,"

he said.

"In the past 15 years, he's probably the best player in the world, and today again, he was very good and dangerous.

"He made the difference in quality for the Argentina team. He had this explosiveness and technique at a very high-level performance. It's the true Messi we expected to see.”

Croatia's manager admitted that many players from this generation including the 37-year-old Luka Modric will not play in the 2026 World Cup.

"This is perhaps the end of this generation in World Cups, a couple of them have reached an age and the World Cup in 2026 – we have to wait and see what happens then.

"We've had great achievements for the Croatia national team, and a lot of players with a lot of potential.

"I believe this generation will finish their careers with Euro 2024. We have the Nations League finals, and it's an excellent generation that reached the semi-finals twice in a row.

"It would have been great to have won the gold medal to crown this generation."

Dalic also confirmed that he wants to stay as Croatia's manager until the end of his contract in 2024.

Dalic added:

"I will continue my contract until 2024 and the European Championships and, in six months, we have the Nations League [finals].

"Then, we have the qualification for the World Cup. My plan and objective is to take Croatia to Euro 2024."

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