With his announcement that the World Cup in Qatar will be his final international contest, Croatia’s ace player Luka Modric has joined Lionel Messi on the list of seasoned athletes who will play one final time for their nations.
“I am cognizant that I am of a certain age and that this is my last competition with the Croatian National team,” Modric said in an interview with FIFA+.
Despite being 37 years old, Modric still performs at a high level on the field.
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After guiding Croatia to the finals against France in 2018, Modric won the Ballon d’Or in Russia, becoming the only player to do so in more than ten years who wasn’t Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
In 2018 alone, Modric was anointed the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award and Best FIFA Men’s Player after he won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid.
Since starting his professional football career at the Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb in 2001, Modric has shifted into a sports icon.
Dubbed a master orchestrator, Modric has made the most touches for Real Madrid, completed the most passes for his side, and made the most passes in the final third of any player on the pitch.
The Croatian captain has recently agreed to extend his contract at Real Madrid until 2023 and could very much end his career with the Los Blancos.
There is little doubt that Modric has etched his name in the hall of fame, as seen by the trophy case he carries, which contains 20 medals, including four FIFA Club World Cup wins.
The midfielder has played more games for the Croatians than any other player in the team’s history (more than 150), as of the World Cup.
Modric, who has scored 22 goals, will be matched up against Morocco, Canada, and Belgium.
The Belgians will make it difficult for Modric’s team to advance out of its group in their pursuit of a FIFA championship return.
