Modric to continue Croatia career at 41, official says

Luka Modric has decided to continue playing international football for Croatia at the age of 41, extending a national-team career that many expected to end after the country’s World Cup campaign.

The Croatian football association confirmed that the AC Milan midfielder intends to remain available for upcoming Nations League matches. He could feature against England later this year, with Croatia scheduled to play the Czech Republic away on September 26, Spain away on September 29 and England at home on October 3. The return fixture against England is set for Wembley on November 12.

Modric is Croatia’s most-capped player, with 202 appearances. He played a central role in the country’s run to the 2018 World Cup final and its third-place finish at the 2022 tournament. He won the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup, although Croatia lost the final 4-2 to France.

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Of course, Luka’s decision makes me extremely happy. We are all aware what he brings to Croatia, both on and off the pitch.

His decision comes after Slaven Bilic returned as Croatia manager. Bilic coached the national team from 2006 to 2012 and was in charge when Modric made his senior international debut in March 2006.

“Of course, Luka’s decision makes me extremely happy,” Bilic said. “We are all aware what he brings to Croatia, both on and off the pitch.” Bilic added that he looked forward to working with Modric again and that both shared the ambition of keeping Croatia among the world’s top teams.

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I’m looking forward to working with him again, after 14 years, and we both share a strong ambition to keep Croatia a top, successful team, shoulder to shoulder with the best teams in the world.