Luka Modric will play his fifth World Cup with Croatia: a life dedicated to football

In it World Cup 2026which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, several Soccer legends will face their last major international event. Among them appears a name that crosses generations: Luka Modric.

At 40 years old, the midfielder will play his fifth World Cup with the Croatia shirta mark that confirms something that no longer supports discussion: His career has been a life dedicated to football.

Today, as a reference for AC Milan, Modric continues to compete at the highest level. He did not retire when he finished his cycle in real Madrid. He didn’t lower the blinds when it seemed like everything was won. He continued. because your goal was only one: to play once again for his country in a World Cup.

The 2006 World Cup in Germany: Modric’s silent start

He first world cup of Modric It was in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was 20 years old and had a secondary role in a Croatia that did not make it past the group stage.

He came off the bench in some games. He was part of a young generation that was still looking to establish itself. Few imagined then that this thin footballer, with a serene look, would end up being the absolute emblem of Croatian football.

Brazil 2014: Luka Modric’s consolidation with Croatia

After the absence of Croatia in South Africa 2010, Modric He returned to the biggest stage at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

He was already the undisputed starter and a figure in Europe. Croatia shared a group with Brazil, Mexico and Cameroon. The team showed moments of good play, but again stay in the first round.

Modric was no longer a promise: he was the engine of the midfield. His leadership was beginning to take shape.

Modric’s eternal consecration in the 2018 World Cup

The highest point came in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Croatia surprised the world and reached the final after an epic journey.

3-0 victory against Argentina in the group stage. Dramatic eliminations in the round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals. Three games to the physical and emotional limit.

Modric was the brain. The rhythm. The pause. Clarity in the midst of chaos.

Croatia fell to France in the finalbut the recognition was absolute: FIFA elected him the Ballon d’Or of the tournament as the best player of the World Cup. That year, he would also win the European Ballon d’Or, breaking the hegemony that Messi and Cristiano dominated.

Modric, in the 2022 World Cup: leadership and maturity in Qatar

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, at 37 years old, he was once again captain and football axis.

Croatia eliminated Japan and Brazil on penalties and reached the semifinals, where they lost to Argentina. Then they beat Morocco and took the third place.

Many believed it would be his World Cup farewell. It wasn’t: he made it clear that as long as he was professionally active, he would not give up his selection.

World Cup 2026: Luka Modric’s fifth challenge with Croatia

Croatia secured its qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a key victory against the Faroe Islands in Rijeka. With that ticket, the Balkan country will compete in its seventh final phase since independence in 1991.

For Modric it will be the fifth. A record reserved for very few footballers in history.

Modric and a career that transcends titles

Since Croatia became independent in 1991, the country has built a strong football identity despite its size. Was semi-finalist in 1998, finalist in 2018 and third in 2022.

At the center of that recent history is Modric, with more than 190 international matches. Captain for almost a decade. World Cup Gold Ball. Generational reference.

He World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be his last dance. The United States, Mexico and Canada will then be the final stage of a career that began in silence and ended at the top of world football.