Croatia capped off another fantastic World Cup campaign with a third place finish. Luka Modric’s team proved that their run to the final in 2018 was no fluke and they are truly one of the best national teams on the planet right now. The Real Madrid star played a key part once again, but some rumours have been doing the rounds that he could retire from international football after the tournament.
On paper, it would make a lot of sense. Modric is 37 years of age and what better way to go out than with back-to-back World Cup medals.
But it does not look like Modric is ready to stop playing for his country just yet and is planning to continue on for a little while more before thinking about hanging up his boots.
As reported by the Mirror, while speaking to reporters after Croatia’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.”"
Real Madrid legend Modric breaks silence amid rumours that he could retire from international football
It is safe to say that at the level that Modric is playing right now, he could go on for a good while longer.
He is still one of Croatia’s best players even at 37 years of age, does not pick up injuries often and is still a regular starter for Real Madrid.
Modric has talked about wanting to play football for as long as he possibly can and it does feel like there is still a quite a bit left in the tank. The way he is going at the moment, there is a genuine chance that he could to play until 40.
There is no doubt that Modric is one of the best players in the history of the game and arguably the best midfielder of his generation. And another World Cup medal with the Croatian national team will only make his case stronger.