World Cup 2026: Panama's Adalberto Carrasquilla dreams of facing idol Luka Modric

Panama's midfield maestro, Adalberto Carrasquilla, is eagerly anticipating a potential showdown with his lifelong idol, Croatian star Luka Modric, at the 2026 World Cup. Carrasquilla, often dubbed Panama's "Modric" for his playmaking abilities, controls the tempo and distributes the ball, much like the veteran Croatian midfielder.

Carrasquilla, 27, currently plays for Pumas in Mexico and was named Concacaf's best player in 2024, surpassing notable talents like Christian Pulisic and Alphonso Davies. He expressed his excitement about the prospect of facing Modric, stating, "I dream with great excitement" of playing against Croatia because "Modric has always been my player to follow, (I have) many similar characteristics, he has been my favorite player."

Panama's coach, Thomas Christiansen, relies heavily on Carrasquilla, whose style is influenced by the principles of Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola's Barcelona. The upcoming match against Croatia is particularly significant as both teams are looking to rebound from opening-game losses. Panama fell to Ghana, while Croatia lost to England, leaving both sides at the bottom of Group L with zero points.

Keylor Navas, Carrasquilla's teammate at Pumas and a former Real Madrid colleague of Modric, has offered to help facilitate a jersey exchange. Navas told Carrasquilla, "I'm going to write Lukita a little message so that in that match, if God allows it, he saves the jersey for you and you can exchange it." Carrasquilla responded enthusiastically, "I would appreciate that opportunity to have his jersey."

Modric, at 40 years old, is participating in his fifth World Cup. He remains the inspirational leader of a Croatian team that achieved remarkable success, reaching the final in 2018 and securing third place in 2022. Navas also expressed confidence in Carrasquilla, stating, "I'm just waiting for those matches to arrive so the world knows what 'Coco' Carrasquilla is."

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Sueño con mucha ilusión" enfrentar a Croacia porque "Modric siempre ha sido mi jugador a seguir, (tengo) muchas características similares, ha sido mi jugador favorito".