Croatia midfielder Luka Modric showed his emotion after a touching tribute from his international team-mates after breaking the country’s international caps record.

The 35-year-old reached his 135th cap, surpassing former captain Darijo Srna, after playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 win against Cyprus in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, report the Mail.

The diminutive midfielder was presented with a commemorative shirt, a video including his career highlights and messages from the seven other ‘100 club’ members, as well as a cake.

Fernando Santos has revealed that referee Dutchman Danny Makelie admitted he was embarrassed by the decision to deny Portugal a late winner through Cristiano Ronaldo’s late strike against Serbia.

The Portugal captain thought he’d won the World Cup qualifier, poised at 2-2, when he nicked in front of goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic and struck home, with defender Stefan Mitrovic stretching to clear off the line.

However, despite replays showing the ball appearing to clearly cross the line, with VAR not in play the officials failed to award the goal, leaving Ronaldo and his manager absolutely furious at the full-time whistle.

“The referee apologised to me in the booth and told me he was embarrassed. I was in the dressing room with him and apologised to me,” Santos said.

“He had told me on the pitch that he was going to see the images and that if it was the case he was calling me to apologise – and so it was.

“It is the second time in a qualifying phase that they apologise to me after the game. I told him on the pitch that there was no VAR or goal line – one of the things he told me was that the goal line was important – but I told him that the ball was half a metre inside the goal.

“There was no obstacle between the goalkeeper and the goal line. [it is a] problem because we drew. We have to rethink. The referees are human and make mistakes, but that’s why there is the VAR and the goal line technology to avoid this.”

Fresh reports suggest Romelu Lukaku’s return to Stamford Bridge may not be difficult afterall as the Serie A giants Inter Milan are said to be ready to listen to offers.

Chelsea are said to be considering a move for the former Manchester United forward if they fail to land No 1 striker target Erling Haaland.

But any San Siro departure for the former Blues striker is said to depend on whether Inter can land Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero on a free.

The Belgian has been a revelation at the San Siro but the Serie A giants are prepared to sell to help combat the financial impact of Covid-19, according to the Star.

Meanwhile, Sport Bild chief Christian Falk has revealed that Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is in support of the west London club’s move for Lukaku on his Twitter account.