DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE WORLD CUP

Luka Modric continues to defy time. Croatia’s evergreen captain remains a genuine threat to England’s World Cup ambitions even at the age of 40.

Before England’s semi-final clash with Croatia at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, there were repeated mentions in the English press about Zlatko Dalic’s experienced squad having already endured extra-time in their two previous knockout matches. Many believed fatigue would play a crucial role at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Luka Modric took exception to that narrative, and he, along with Croatia’s other senior players, turned it into motivation as they fought back to claim a 2-1 extra-time victory over England in Moscow.

“We proved everything was different to what people were saying – especially English journalists and television pundits,” the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder told ITV immediately after the match. “All these words from them, we were reading and saying, ‘OK, today we’ll see who will be tired.’ As I said, they should be more humble and show more respect to their opponents.”

“They underestimated Croatia tonight and that was a huge mistake.” That lesson will not be forgotten when the two nations face each other again in Wednesday’s World Cup rematch in Dallas – even though Modric continues to lead Croatia at 40.

A painful farewell that wasn’t

It seemed that Modric’s international career had come to a close after Croatia’s heartbreaking Euro 2024 group-stage elimination against a struggling Italian side.

In what was effectively a last-16 playoff at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Modric had given Croatia the lead by converting a rebound from his own missed penalty. Yet, by the time he received the Player of the Match award, his expression was one of despair, as a 98th-minute goal from Mattia Zaccagni sent Italy through and Croatia out.

It was far from the fairytale ending Modric deserved, and the disappointment was shared by fans and pundits worldwide who hoped for a more fitting farewell.

‘Never retire!’

During the post-match press conference, Italian journalist Francesco Repice summed up the feelings of many when he thanked Modric for “everything you have shown, not just tonight but throughout your career,” and urged him to “never retire!”

Then aged 38, Modric responded, “I’d like to keep playing forever, but there will probably come a time when I’ll have to hang up my boots. I’ll keep playing for now, though I’m not sure for how much longer.”

Remarkably, Modric still hasn’t stopped. Even more impressively, his performances remain at an elite level.

‘Let’s clone him!’

When Modric joined AC Milan last summer after 13 decorated seasons at Real Madrid, he insisted that moving to the Serie A club he supported as a child, largely because of compatriot Zvonimir Boban, was not merely a sentimental decision. He believed he could make a real difference to the Rossoneri – and he was right.

While his transfer made headlines across Italy, sceptics questioned whether he still had the stamina for top-flight football. Some even suggested Milan didn’t need him, especially after signing Samuele Ricci.

But Ricci himself had no issue with coach Massimiliano Allegri’s decision to start Modric regularly. “He’s the strongest player I’ve ever played with,” Ricci said, impressed by the veteran’s humility and intensity.

Italian journalists were equally astonished by his continued brilliance. “If he really is 40,” wrote Alberto Polverosi, “let’s clone him!”

‘Lukita is crazy’

Modric’s performances seemed to defy logic, but Milan legend Kaka offered a simple explanation, calling his former Real Madrid teammate a 40-year-old “force of nature.”

“I know what his mentality is like,” the Brazilian told Gazzetta dello Sport. “It’s human to lose motivation after achieving so much – but Lukita is crazy. He still wants to teach, he calls his teammates, he’s always ready to fight. He has energy and character.”

“His influence at Milan is vital both in matches and in training. His presence is positive for all of Italian football. It’s inspiring to see his enthusiasm, leadership, and incredible technique.”

Milan’s Modric dependency

Unsurprisingly, Allegri was enamoured with Modric’s professionalism, and their bond became so strong that there were even rumours of Modric joining him as an assistant coach next season.

However, Milan grew overly reliant on him. When Modric fractured his cheekbone during a goalless draw against Juventus on April 26, he missed the final four games of the season. Milan lost three of those matches, dropping from third to fifth and consequently missing out on Champions League qualification.

Motivated as ever

Modric’s future at Milan remains uncertain, especially after Allegri’s dismissal for failing to secure a top-four finish. While the Croatian maestro has spoken warmly about both the club and the city, reports suggest Real Madrid are eager to welcome him back to the Bernabeu in some capacity once he retires.

For now, Modric remains tight-lipped about his plans. It’s widely expected that this will be his final major tournament for Croatia, and he faces the additional challenge of playing with a protective mask at the World Cup – hardly ideal in demanding conditions.

Yet, Modric has built his legacy on proving doubters wrong. As he recently stated, “I never really cared what anyone else said; it only motivated me further.”

At 40, wearing a mask or not, few would dare to write off Luka Modric. The English media certainly won’t – they’ve learned that lesson before.

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