Luka Modric has decided to continue playing for the Croatia national football team. A report from football-italia.net confirms the AC Milan midfielder will be included in the squad for the September and October international fixtures, with the full squad list from manager Slaven Bilic expected on Monday.
Modric's decision sends a strong signal ahead of a important period for the team. Croatia currently sits second in their World Cup qualifying group with six points from three games, just one point behind leaders England. The team has scored and conceded five goals each. Following a loss to Portugal in their last match, an away fixture against Czechia on September 26th is next, which you can follow on our fixtures page.
Why is this decision so significant?
Luka Modric made this commitment just a week before his birthday. He has already signed a new contract with AC Milan for the 2026-27 season, which likely provided the security needed to extend his international career. With caps for Croatia, Modric is the third most-capped player in the history of all national teams, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Messi recently announced his international retirement, making Modric's choice even more notable.
The original report states Modric said: "Modrić has given his confirmation that he will be available for the entirety of Croatia’s upcoming Nations League campaign assuming that he is fit." This statement clearly shows his readiness to remain a key player in the most important matches.
What is the context of Modric's choice?
The decision comes after a disappointing club season for Modric, where AC Milan missed out on Champions League football at the end of the last campaign. On the international stage, Croatia had a disappointing World Cup that ended in a round of 32 elimination by Portugal, losing 2-1 on July 2nd. That was the second consecutive loss in a run of two matches, though the overall form in the last five games is three wins and two defeats.
Despite these setbacks, Modric's contribution remains invaluable. His experience and quality will be important for the younger generation of players in the squad. The current team status and detailed statistics can always be checked on our standings page.
How will Modric impact the upcoming matches?
Including Luka Modric in the squad for the September and October fixtures gives manager Slaven Bilic a massive boost in midfield. Modric will be available for the entire Nations League campaign, which is extremely important for Croatia who find themselves in a tough group. His ability to control the tempo of a game and create chances will remain key.
Bilic will announce the full player list on Monday, and Modric will certainly be among them. This is an opportunity for Modric to help the team get back to winning ways after recent losses. For a detailed overview of all players available to the manager, visit our squad page.
What comes next for Croatia and Modric?
After the official squad announcement on Monday, the focus will shift to preparations for the match against Czechia on September 26th. This will be Modric's first chance to play for Croatia again since the World Cup. Given his form and motivation, he is expected to immediately take on an important role.
Modric's decision to extend his career at the highest level sets a new standard for longevity and dedication in football. His presence in the national team will ensure stability and quality in midfield during a critical part of the World Cup qualifying campaign. The next challenge for the team is an away trip to Prague for which preparations are already underway.
