Luka Modric has vowed to continue playing for Croatia until at least next summer after helping his nation secure third spot at the World Cup.
Modric, 37, put in yet another majestic performance for Croatia as they secured third place in the World Cup finals with victory in the third-placed play-off clash against Morocco on Saturday. That will almost certainly be the midfield maestro’s final clash on the grandest international stage.
The Real Madrid star will go down as one of the greatest performers in the World Cup this century after his instrumental role in Croatia’s sensational run to the final in 2018 before a similar run to a successive top-three finish this time round.
There is speculation that he may end his international involvement with Croatia – for whom he has been capped 162 times – after this tournament. However, Modric has rebuffed those suggestions and has vowed to stay on with his nation until at least next summer.
That is because Croatia will be playing in the Nations League finals in June alongside Netherlands, Spain and Italy. It represents an opportunity for the veteran midfielder to win his and his nation’s first major international honour.
Speaking to reporters after Saturday's victory over Morocco, Modric said: "Yes, this may have been my last game in a World Cup, but I can't say anything. But of course, I'm very happy with my entire career in Croatia.
"Winning two medals is very important. My dream was to win the World Cup. It has not happened, but I am very happy. We have confirmed that Croatia have a great team, with a very good future ahead and we have to continue. In the future, we will see what happens. At the least, I want to continue until the Nations League games and then we will see what happens."
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Modric added, of the significance of Croatia’s third-place finish this year: "It could be seen on the pitch with how we celebrated. It really means a lot, winning two medals in two World Cups is something very important and very notable for Croatia. You can no longer talk about Croatia as a team that does something every 20 years.
"I think that with the last World Cup and with this one, we have put Croatia on the map of great teams and we are very happy. It was not to be for us to win that final, but we travelled home as winners, which is also very important."
