If life is supposed to begin at 40, a World Cup life should end in the fifth decade. History will be made by two who could soon be part of it. The 23rd World Cup features a pair born before the 13th edition. For the first time in the history of the competition, there is a derby of the forty-somethings as Portugal meet Croatia.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, each born in 1985, both among the seven players with the most World Cup appearances ever, serial Champions League winners together, have a reunion where one faces a finish. In Modric’s case, it will be definitive. “This is his last World Cup, and he is doing his best to say ‘goodbye’ to the tournament,” said Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic.
