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At 41, Luka Modrić will lead Croatia in the new Nations League

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Croatia’s football federation said Luka Modrić will remain available for the national team in the upcoming Nations League, despite turning 41 on Sept. 9.
  • Modrić has won 202 caps and played at the 2026 World Cup, where Croatia lost 2-1 to Portugal in the round of 32.
  • Croatia will open its Nations League campaign away to the Czech Republic on Sept. 26 before visiting Spain three days later.

Luka Modrić will continue with Croatia’s national team in the next Nations League, even as the midfielder prepares to turn 41 on Sept. 9. The Croatian Football Federation announced that the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner remains available for selection.

Modrić has made 202 international appearances and played at the 2026 World Cup, the fifth of his career. Croatia exited after a 2-1 defeat by Portugal in the round of 32 on July 2.

The midfielder told coach Slaven Bilić and federation president Marijan Kustić that he was still ready to play, the federation said. Bilić, who will announce his next squad on Monday, said he was “very happy with Luka’s decision because we all know what he represents for Croatia on and off the field.”

Modrić recently extended his contract with AC Milan for one year, through June 2027. He spent most of his club career at Real Madrid, where he played from 2012 to 2025 and won six European Cups. His first Croatia call-up came more than 20 years ago, on March 1, 2006. Croatia begins the next Nations League in Prague against the Czech Republic on Sept. 26, then travels to Seville to face Spain three days later.

Very happy with Luka’s decision because we all know what he represents for Croatia on and off the field.

· Slaven BilićCroatia’s coach welcomed Modrić’s decision to remain available for the national team.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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