Luka Modric’s possible World Cup farewell ended in the most painful way, with Croatia losing 2-1 to Portugal in the Round of 32. The defeat closed the door on what may have been his final appearance on the biggest stage.
Even at 40, Modric was central to Croatia’s effort. He finished with a team-high 66 touches, completed three tackles, and delivered two dangerous crosses in the second half.
Late drama denied Croatia
Croatia thought it had found a way back when Joško Gvardiol scored late, but the equalizer was ruled out for offside. That decision left Croatia short of the comeback it needed and sent Portugal through instead.
Coach Zlatko Dalić said this was “probably” Modric’s last World Cup, while adding, “Only God knows what will happen in the next four years. We’ll see. We’ll talk about it in Croatia.” Dalić also praised the veteran midfielder’s influence, saying Modric “led Croatia until the very end.”
A career that shaped Croatia’s biggest nights
Modric has now played in five World Cups and started all four of Croatia’s matches in the 2026 tournament. He helped guide Croatia to second place in 2018 and third place in 2022, reinforcing his status as the country’s defining football figure of his generation.
| Career Note | Detail |
|---|---|
| World Cups played | 5 |
| 2026 World Cup starts | 4 |
| Croatia’s best finishes with Modric | 2nd in 2018, 3rd in 2022 |
| Ballon d’Or | Won in 2018 |
His former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo also paid tribute, calling him “a legend of football” and adding, “He’s still a legend of football.” The message underlined how widely Modric is respected by players who have shared his era.
The legacy behind the farewell
Modric’s club record matches the same standard of consistency. At Real Madrid, he won six Champions League titles and four LaLiga crowns, after earlier spells with Dinamo Zagreb and Tottenham Hotspur.
He also spent this past season with AC Milan, where he led the team in total touches, pass completions, progressive passes, total carry distance, and ball recoveries. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said that with his longevity, Modric “plays the game like a young man with the capacity to think,” and called him “a beautiful example” of decision-making under pressure.
For Croatia, the end came with frustration and no final equalizer to extend the story. For Modric, it may have been the last World Cup chapter of a career that has already left a lasting mark on the tournament.
