Luka Modric, the experienced Croatian midfielder, faced both triumph and heartbreak in the match against Italy during Euro 2024. After having a penalty saved, Modric quickly recovered and scored a goal, giving his team the lead. However, in the 98th minute, Italy equalized and dashed Croatia’s hopes of advancing to the last 16. Modric’s disappointed expression at the final whistle led many to wonder if this could be his last international tournament.
Wayne Rooney, former England and Manchester United striker, expressed his concern, saying, “It is hard to watch as we’re wondering is this Luka Modric’s last game for Croatia?” Micah Richards, ex-England and Manchester City defender, praised Modric’s qualities as a midfielder and lamented the loss. It was a bittersweet moment for Modric, who had the potential to be a hero but saw it slip away.
The question now arises whether Modric’s disappointing exit from Euro 2024 will affect his desire to continue playing at the highest level. At 39 years old, he would be in his 40s by the time the 2026 World Cup arrives. While it’s uncommon for an outfield player to continue at that age, examples like Cristiano Ronaldo (39) and Pepe (41) show that it’s not impossible. Modric himself expressed his intention to keep playing for as long as possible, although he acknowledged that there may come a time when he has to retire.
Alan Shearer, former England and Newcastle striker, believes it is highly likely that this was Modric’s last appearance for Croatia. Shearer spoke highly of Modric’s abilities and sympathized with the unfortunate end to his international career.
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic shared Modric’s pain at the game’s conclusion. He criticized the decision to add eight minutes of extra time, considering there were not many breaks or fouls to justify such a long period. Dalic expressed his disappointment and acknowledged that the team would need to analyze their performance once the dust settles.
As Croatia’s star players, including Modric, approach the end of their careers, questions arise about the future of the Croatian national team leading up to the 2026 World Cup. They have been known as underdogs, defying expectations and reaching the final in 2018 and the semi-finals four years later. However, the upcoming tournament raises uncertainty about the team’s composition and potential success.
For now, Croatia must await confirmation of their fate in the tournament as the remaining group games are played. Dalic took responsibility for the team’s potential failure to advance and thanked his players for their efforts, despite the disappointment. The future remains uncertain, but for now, Croatia must regroup and move forward.