Luka Modric is set to lead Croatia into a World Cup clash against England, aiming to repeat the heartbreak he inflicted on the Three Lions in 2018. Now 40 years old, the midfielder remains the heartbeat of his national team, 20 years after his international debut.
Modric's Enduring Legacy
Modric reached 198 caps in Croatia's final warm-up match, a 2-1 win over Slovenia, and is poised to break the 200 barrier during the tournament. While his legs may not carry him as far as before, facing England always brings an extra edge and motivation.
The 2018 World Cup semi-final was fueled by Croatia's reaction to perceived English arrogance and the "football's coming home" narrative. Former Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka, now Croatia's assistant coach, famously shouted "football's not coming home" after the match.
England's Challenge
England manager Thomas Tuchel has disputed claims that his team received an easy draw, noting that based on FIFA rankings, they actually got the toughest group. However, Croatia is not the force they were in 2018, with an ageing squad including Modric, Mateo Kovacic (32), Ivan Perisic (37), and Andrej Kramaric (turning 35).
Croatia reached the World Cup final in 2018 and lost to Argentina in the 2022 semi-final. England have won their last two meetings, but Modric and Croatia often rise to the occasion in major tournaments.
Modric's Club Form
Modric finished the season at AC Milan with 47 appearances for club and country. According to regular Milan watchers, he was their best player last season. His energy and running may have diminished since his Tottenham and Real Madrid days, but he remains a great leader.
Modric won the Champions League six times, La Liga four times, and the Ballon d'Or with Real Madrid. His future is uncertain, with AC Milan unsure about next season and speculation that he may retire after the World Cup. Reports suggest Real Madrid want to bring him back in some capacity.
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic, whose contract expires after the World Cup, has leaned heavily on Modric while trying to develop a new generation. Croatia is ranked 11th in the world, England 4th, making this a heavyweight clash that could be Modric's last great hurrah.
