Luka Modrić will continue as captain and key player for the Croatia national football team. The Croatian Football Federation has officially confirmed that the legendary midfielder will extend his international career for the new competition cycle, as first reported by Net.hr Sportski.
Modrić informed coach Slaven Bilić and HNS president Marijan Kustić of his decision. He will be part of the squad for new challenges in the UEFA Nations League, with Bilić including him in Monday's list for matches against Czechia, Spain, and England. This news comes as the Vatreni sit second in their World Cup qualifying group with six points from three games, just one point behind leaders England.
Why is Modrić's decision so significant?
Luka Modrić is the most experienced player in Croatian national team history with 202 caps. He's the captain who led the team to a silver medal at the 2018 World Cup and a bronze medal at the 2022 tournament. His presence in the dressing room and on the pitch is invaluable for the younger players coming through.
Coach Slaven Bilić expressed his delight at this decision. "Naturally, I'm extremely happy with Luka's decision because we all know what he represents and means for Croatia on and off the pitch," said Bilić. "I'm particularly pleased that after 14 years we'll work together again and share the strong ambition for Croatia to be quality, successful, and equal with the best in the world."
Where do Croatia stand in qualifications?
The team currently has a positive win-loss record in qualifying. They've played three matches, winning two and losing one. They've scored five goals and conceded five, resulting in a goal difference of zero. Their last result was a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in early July.
Analysis of our stats page shows form over the last five matches has been mixed. They've recorded three wins and two losses, but have lost the last two matches. That's a statistic Bilić and Modrić will certainly want to improve in upcoming challenges. The full schedule of friendly and qualifying matches can be found on our fixtures page.
What's next for the national team?
The first test for Modrić and the Vatreni in the new cycle will be a Nations League match away to Czechia on September 26th. This will be the first opportunity to see the team's new dynamics under Bilić's leadership with the experienced captain in the lineup.
Following that come demanding matches against Spain and England, who lead the qualifying group. The current position on our standings page shows the battle for top spot is direct and every match carries significant weight. Modrić's experience in big games will be of immeasurable value in those circumstances.
Who will compete with Modrić for places?
Bilić will announce the full squad list for the September matches on Monday. Besides Modrić, other key players from Europe's top leagues are expected to be included. All named players will be available on the official squad page after the announcement.
Modrić will set standards for the entire team through his example and professionalism. His decision to continue playing demonstrates strong commitment to the national team jersey and a desire to help Croatia achieve new successes. The first opportunity for that will come in just a few weeks in Prague against Czechia.
