Luka Modric will extend his legendary career with the Croatia national team at the age of 41. The Croatian Football Federation officially confirmed, as reported by Yahoo Sports, that the captain will be available to manager Slaven Bilic for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Modric, who turns 41 next week, has already renewed his contract with AC Milan and has now resolved his international future. He will be part of the squad for the September-October break in a competitive year that will include the continuation of the Nations League. The full list of players for these matches will be announced on Monday.
Can Modric become the most capped player in history?
By deciding to continue, Modric remains at the very top of the all-time appearance rankings. He currently holds third place with 202 caps for Croatia. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (233) and Lionel Messi (207) are ahead of him. However, Messi has announced his international retirement, opening the door for Modric to climb to second place if he continues to play regularly. This season presents an opportunity for that historic step.
What is Croatia's form ahead of the new challenges?
The Vatreni enter this phase with some momentum but also with a couple of recent defeats. After a solid start in the World Cup qualifying, where they are currently second with 6 points from 3 games, there has been a stumble. The last result was a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in July. A look at the stats shows the team has three wins and two losses in its last five matches, currently on a run of two consecutive defeats. They have scored and conceded 5 goals, resulting in a goal difference of zero.
What to expect in the upcoming Nations League?
Modric, provided he is fit, will be a key part of Bilic's plans for the entire Nations League campaign. His experience and quality are invaluable for a team aiming for a strong result in this competition. His mentoring role for younger players in the dressing room will also be extremely important. The first test on the road will be an away match against Czechia on September 26, the first of several key fixtures you can follow on our fixtures page.
How did last season go for Modric?
The past year brought mixed feelings for the great midfielder. At club level with AC Milan, he missed out on Champions League football at the end of the season. With the national team, Croatia was eliminated in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, precisely by Portugal. That disappointment, coupled with his age, fueled speculation about a possible retirement this summer. However, Modric has shown he still has the fire and desire to continue. We also remember his contribution in Group L, where he celebrated a 2-1 win over Ghana in Philadelphia wearing the number 10 shirt.
The path is now clear. Luka Modric remains a Vatreni and is ready for new challenges. The next step is the trip to Czechia on September 26, where Croatia will aim to break a run of two defeats and secure an important win in the fight for the top of the standings.
