Croatia captain Luka Modric has admitted that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be his last international tournament. The Real Madrid midfielder will turn 38 before Euro 2024 begins.
Modric has represented his country for the past 16 years after debuting for Vatreni back in March 2006. He has since gone on to amass 154 caps, score 23 goals and offer 24 assists. The Galacticos star also led Croatia to the World Cup final in 2018 before losing to France.
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Croatia beat the odds to make it to Moscow but lost the showcase fixture 4-2 to Les Bleus. Yet Modric’s displays throughout the tournament saw the 37-year-old win the Golden Ball. France Football also later handed the Zadar native the Ballon d’Or for his stellar 2018 form.
Modric played almost every minute of Croatia’s path to the World Cup final four years ago. He featured for 694 of a possible 720 after three of Vatreni’s ties went to extra time. They also required penalties to edge Denmark and Russia in the Round of 16 and quarter-finals.
Luka Modric admits Qatar 2022 will be the Croatia captain’s final World Cup
Modric will now lead Croatia out in Qatar during the first World Cup in the Middle East and the first held in the European winter. FIFA has drawn Vatreni beside Morocco, Canada and Belgium in Group F with fixtures played on November 23, 27 and December 1 respectively.
But the 22nd edition of the quadrennial competition will also mark the former Tottenham Hotspur star’s final appearance on the global stage. Modric admits that after turning 37 in September, he acknowledges time is against the Croatia icon making another World Cup.
“I am aware that I am of a certain age, and that this is my last competition in the Croatian National team,” he told Fifa+. “People ask why I keep playing for the national team instead of focusing on my club. I keep playing because it is still something special for me.
“There’s no better feeling for me than playing for my country. I would love to keep playing for my country as long as they need me and as long I can help them.”
The five-time Champions League winner added: “Being captain of Croatia is the realisation of all my dreams. Playing for Croatia is sacred for us, it’s an indescribable kind of love.”
Modric only needs one appearance to feature at four finals in his career
Modric playing at least once in Qatar will see the 2022 World Cup become the fourth finals of his career. The Croatia captain first appeared on the global stage in 2006 with two group stage appearances in Germany. He also played three times in the first round at Brazil 2014.
Vatreni failed to qualify for the 2010 tournament in South Africa – the first World Cup they missed since declaring formal independence from Yugoslavia. Croatia had also exited after the group stage in each edition prior to 2018 other than 1998 when they finished in third.
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