Luka Modric Reflects on Approaching Career End After Croatia’s World Cup Heroics

Luka Modric, the esteemed Croatian midfielder, has openly discussed the increasing likelihood of his professional playing career coming to an end in the near future. His candid remarks follow a series of impressive performances for Croatia during the ongoing World Cup, where he continues to be a pivotal figure for his national team.

Modric, who recently earned his 201st cap for Croatia, played a significant role in their crucial victory over Ghana. His assist on the winning goal secured Croatia’s passage to the round of 32, extending their tournament journey. The team is now set to face Portugal in their next fixture, a match that will pit Modric against his current club teammate Rafael Leao and potential future colleague Goncalo Ramos.

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Reflecting on the match and his personal situation, Modric admitted to Filippo Maria Ricci of La Gazzetta dello Sport that he is savoring every moment on the pitch. “I know I’m getting older, and the end of my career is getting closer,” he stated. “I try to enjoy it as much as possible, but it’s not easy because, especially in the national team, the pressure is enormous.”

Croatia’s World Cup campaign has seen them overcome early challenges. Modric acknowledged a slow start against England but highlighted the team’s growth through subsequent matches against Panama and Ghana, the latter being described as their best performance to date. “We’re growing,” Modric commented. “We started badly against England, we grew against Panama – a hard-fought victory, but still a victory – and even more so against Ghana, our best match. And we’ll improve even more.”

Despite external doubts, Modric maintained his belief in the team’s potential. “Not me. I said, and I’ve always believed, that we’d get better as we went along, and I was right,” he asserted. “Now a new tournament begins, a great one, the one we like. We have to have fun, and then what happens will happen. We have nothing to fear, and our rival won’t be happy to challenge us.”

Modric also addressed the pressure surrounding the Croatian team, which he believes is partly self-inflicted due to their past successes. “After the two great World Cups in 2018 and 2022, people expect things from us that may not be realistic, but that’s partly our fault. We’ve accustomed them to it,” he explained. “All of these things put extra pressure on ourselves, which affects our game. Now, however, our self-confidence is growing – we’ve lifted an unnecessary burden because what we’re doing is incredible.”

The veteran midfielder also praised the emergence of 18-year-old Petar Sucic, who scored the opening goal against Ghana. “He played a phenomenal match and showed he’s the present, not the future, of this national team,” Modric said. “Kudos to him for what he’s been doing since joining the team. May he keep it up.”

Regarding specific tactical aspects, Modric acknowledged that the team needs to analyze their struggles with set-pieces and the challenges of returning to play after hydration breaks. However, he downplayed the severity of these issues, noting that Croatia also scored from a set-piece.

Recent reports indicate that Modric is open to discussions with new coach Ruben Amorim regarding his future at the club level. However, no definitive decision has been made regarding whether he will extend his stay, move elsewhere, or opt for retirement. His focus remains on the current World Cup campaign and enjoying the remaining moments of his illustrious career.

Key facts:
| Fact | Detail |
|—|—|
| Player | Luka Modric |
| National Team | Croatia |
| Tournament | World Cup |
| Key Achievement | 201st cap, assist on winning goal vs. Ghana |
| Modric’s Reflection | End of career is getting closer |
| Next Opponent | Portugal |

Modric’s reflections offer a poignant look at the twilight of a legendary career. For football fans, it serves as a reminder to cherish the performances of players like Modric while they continue to grace the pitch, as their time at the highest level is finite. His continued influence on the Croatian national team, even as he contemplates retirement, underscores his enduring quality and leadership.

Source: SempreMilan RSS – https://sempremilan.com/modric-end-of-career-getting-closer

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