Luka Modrić faces toughest decision of his career, may retire from Croatia after World Cup

Luka Modrić, the long-serving captain and midfield maestro of the Croatian national football team, is reportedly contemplating his retirement from international duty. The upcoming World Cup, set to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, is widely expected to be his final tournament for the Vatreni (the Blazers).

Modrić, who debuted for Croatia in 2006, has been the cornerstone of the team's midfield for nearly two decades. He has played a pivotal role in the team's successes, most notably captaining Croatia to a historic final appearance at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he was also named the tournament's best player. His leadership and skill have defined an era for Croatian football.

Sources suggest that the decision, which had been a possibility even before a recent disappointing performance by his club, AC Milan, is gaining momentum. If he does retire, his final appearance for Croatia would coincide with the conclusion of his illustrious playing career. This potential farewell signifies the end of an iconic chapter for both Modrić and Croatian football.