Croatia announce squad for upcoming UEFA Nations League games; Luka Modric included

The Croatian team will first face Portugal in the competition.

Croatia’s 24-man roster for the UEFA Nations League’s opening games includes Luka Modric. Having made his first appearance for his nation in 2006 at the tender age of 20, Real Madrid captain Modric will be 39 in September.

It was unclear whether Modric would remain available for the national team after Croatia were eliminated in the group stage of Euro 2024 this summer.

”The key to our success has been great unity, teamwork, and a winning mindset, which we must keep while testing new strategic and personnel options and seeking fresh faces,” head coach Zlatko Dalic emphasised.

Two new players on the national team are Igor Matanović from Eintracht Frankfurt and Petar Sučić, a midfielder for Dinamo Zagreb. In addition, veteran player Ivan Perisic has also been called up.

However, Croatia team coach Dalic expressed his happiness that “our captain remains on board (Modric)” following the announcements of colleagues Domagoj Vida and Marcelo Brozovic’s retirements from international football.

“He is our great strength, both on and off the field,” he added.

“The Nations League will be an excellent platform for us to build a team that will begin the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup next year. Compared to this year’s Euros, we’ve lost two key veterans, Vida and Brozović, but we are all delighted that our captain, Luka Modrić, is still with us—he remains a tremendous asset both on and off the pitch,” said Dalić.

Modric, who in July agreed to a one-year contract deal with Real Madrid, featured in every game for Croatia during the Euro 2024.

They compete in League A of the Nations League. On September 5th they travel to face Portugal. A few days afterwards, they take on Poland.

Croatia squad ahead of UEFA Nations League

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livaković, Dominik Kotarski, Nediljko Labrović

Defenders: Joško Gvardiol, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanišić, Josip Šutalo, Marin Pongračić, Martin Erlić

Midfielders: Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Mario Pašalić, Lovro Majer, Luka Ivanušec, Luka Sučić, Kristijan Jakić, Martin Baturina, Petar Sučić

Forwards: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Bruno Petković, Ante Budimir, Igor Matanović

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