The 39-year-old midfield maestro closes a historic chapter in international football following a tense knockout defeat against Portugal.
ZAGREB: Croatian football icon Luka Modric has played his final World Cup match, marking the emotional conclusion of an era for the national team after a dramatic elimination against Portugal.
A legendary international career came to a poignant end as Croatia bowed out of the tournament in heartbreaking fashion. In a high-stakes encounter against Portugal, a dramatic 93rd-minute goal was subjected to a lengthy VAR check for offside, ultimately sealing Croatia’s exit and drawing the curtains on Modric’s illustrious World Cup journey.
Modric, who took over the captaincy in 2016, leaves an indelible mark on international football. He earned 202 caps for his country and scored 29 goals, cementing his status as Croatia’s greatest-ever player. Under his visionary leadership, the small European nation achieved historic milestones on the global stage, finishing as runners-up in the 2018 World Cup in Russia and securing a third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His phenomenal performances in 2018 earned him the prestigious Golden Ball and the Ballon d’Or, breaking the decade-long duopoly of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
At the club level, Modric established himself as a modern great during a spectacular 13-year stint with Real Madrid. Joining the Spanish giants in 2012, he went on to win a club-record 28 titles, making 597 appearances while registering 43 goals and 88 assists before transitioning to Italian side AC Milan on a one-year deal.
As the final whistle blew, the veteran midfielder cut a despondent figure on the pitch, bringing a solemn end to a historic “last dance” that fans worldwide will cherish for generations.
