Modric, close to saying goodbye to football

Luka Modrić and Croatia are always central figures in any World Cup conversation. Four years later, the story repeats itself, with the Croatian national team once again commanding respect from every opponent, especially with the Real Madrid midfielder as captain and focal point. In a few days, his contract with Milan will expire, and his retirement from professional football feels closer than ever. The end of his season in Italy has not unfolded as expected and, barring an unexpected twist, his World Cup involvement could become the stage for his final masterclasses in the game.

England, Panama and Ghana are Croatia’s three group-stage opponents. Their last two World Cup campaigns ended in a final in Russia and a semi-final in Qatar. The Balkan side has consistently performed strongly on the world stage, a reputation it first cemented in France 1998, when it reached the podium by beating the Netherlands in the third-place play-off, with Davor Šuker finishing as the tournament’s top scorer.

In total, Croatia has played 30 World Cup matches, recording 13 wins, 8 draws and 9 defeats. Historically, it ranks among the most competitive nations in international football, led by Modrić. The 2026 tournament will be his fifth World Cup, where he will have accumulated 18 appearances, more than half of Croatia’s total matches at the competition’s highest level.

A professional footballer for 23 years, Modrić is widely regarded as a model of how to elevate the sport. After thirteen seasons at Real Madrid, he moved to Milan to become their reference point, immediately stepping into a leading role, a responsibility that pushed him to his limits and ultimately led to surgery late in the season following a facial injury.

In recent weeks, he has received several offers, but at present he does not appear to have found the motivation required to continue competing at the highest level. Some voices suggest he should retire after the World Cup and, although it is a deeply personal decision, all signs indicate that the tournament could be his final major act as an active footballer. In fact, the Italian club is not planning for his continuation.

A return to Real Madrid remains a possibility that has not yet been formally discussed, but both the club and Modrić agree on one point: the Madrid institution is his home. In any case, this is set to be the final World Cup chapter of a player who has defined an era. His farewell is approaching.

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