Croatian supervisor Zlatko Dalic desires the 37-year-old star to play for Croatia till 2024. However Modric’s plans are unknown.
Croatia’s veteran playmaker Luka Modric was “hit actually exhausting” by his staff’s defeat to Argentina in Tuesday’s World Cup semifinal, in response to the staff’s supervisor Zlatko Dalic.
The 37-year-old Modric made his 161st look for his nation within the last 4 match the place an impressed Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to ebook a spot in Sunday’s last.
That loss leaves Croatia with a third-place playoff towards Morocco on Saturday, and it’s unclear whether or not Modric will play any extra for the nationwide staff after the World Cup.
The ten-time Croatian footballer of the yr received the Ballon D’or and the FIFA Golden Ball in 2018 as he captained his nationwide staff to the World Cup last – which they misplaced 4-2 to France.
On Tuesday, Modric was taken off late within the second half to a standing ovation from each Croatian and Argentinian followers. The optics raised questions on whether or not it was a last goodbye, with the Actual Madrid midfielder hugging every of his teammates as he traipsed off the pitch.
Dalic has prompt that he would really like the present Croatian aspect, with Modric on the helm, to stay collectively till the 2024 European Championships.
“We’ve had an important staff, and this era will end off their profession at Euro 2024”, Dalic mentioned at a press convention on Tuesday. “We’ve the Nations League and a very good era who reached two semifinals”, he added.
Modric has additionally loved appreciable success at membership stage, successful La Liga thrice and selecting up 5 Champions League trophies throughout his 11 at Actual Madrid.
Dalic mentioned that Modric would make the choice on worldwide retirement “on his personal” however added that “absolutely the entire world would miss him if he retires from the nationwide staff, and I hope he received’t determine to try this”.
“Luka Modric confirmed he’s not solely an important participant, he’s an important skilled, an important sportsman,” Dalic mentioned.
Early within the event, Modric hinted that he want to lengthen his keep at Actual Madrid for one more season. His present contract is because of expire in the summertime as a result of membership’s coverage of solely handing annual extensions to gamers over 30.
“After all, I need to retire in Madrid; I’ve mentioned that many instances,” Modric mentioned. “You may’t say something for one hundred pc, however that’s my thought, and it’s a dream for me.”