How Luka Modric continues to be Croatia's main man at age of 39?

The Real Madrid midfielder continues to be a key player for his national side.

Luka Modric once again impressed in Croatia’s 2-1 win over Scotland in the UEFA Nations League group stage. Croatia have once again shown what a national team with such a small population can achieve on the biggest stages of football.

Luka Modric made 6 interceptions in Croatia's 2-1 win over Scotland on Saturday; no player has made more in a UEFA Nations League A match this year. 🧠 pic.twitter.com/3zp68te4qz

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 13, 2024

When they played in the World Cup final in Russia in 2018, Zlatko Dalic guided a country with fewer population than Scotland to the pinnacle of international football. They however did lose to France that day.

It was unexpected that Croatia made it to that showcase, but Modric is the epitome of breaking the mould.

His youth was set against the backdrop of the Croatian War of Independence, which forced him and his family to leave their home near the Dalmatian city of Zadar.

Twenty years ago, after graduating from Dinamo Zagreb, he was loaned to Zrinjski Mostar, a Bosnian team. That will have opened a young Croatian’s eyes.

Modric has captured six Champions League crowns, five Super Cups, four Spanish titles, and five Club World Cups in the last 20 years with Real Madrid along with the 180 caps he has proudly accumulated in Croatia’s red and white checks.

However, he was written off by numerous individuals when he made high-profile moves to Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur, where he achieved everything. At the Santiago Bernabeu, he is presently enjoying his thirteenth season.

Despite the age of 39, the former Spurs players continue to put awe-inspiring performances in matches for both club and national level.

How Luka Modric is still the most important player for Croatia at the age of 39?

Modric serves as the puppet master, but Dalic has a great mix of young and old to choose from. Midfielder Modric is the epitome of quality; he makes everything happen from the middle of the field. Of course, other players help him, but the Real Madrid star can still decide the game by himself.

Similar to Modric, the team still has a few stalwarts from that run to the World Cup final, including Andrej Kramaric of Hoffenheim and Ivan Perisic, who joined Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven in the summer window.

Martin Baturina, a 21-year-old midfielder for Dinamo Zagreb who has drawn interest from Manchester United and been labelled “the next Modric,” seems to be the next star to come off the Croatian conveyor belt.

🌟 | PLAYER OF THE MATCHLuka Modrić v Scotland:👌 87 touches🔑 3 key passes🔭 6/6 accurate long balls👟 58/65 accurate passes💨 4/4 successful dribbles⚔️ 8/9 duels won🧲 6 interceptions🦵 3 tackles📈 8.7 Sofascore RatingAnother outstanding display in a Croatia shirt… pic.twitter.com/WqZ374vWsK

— Sofascore Football (@SofascoreINT) October 12, 2024

But for now, Modric is still the most important player for the national team even though he has lost some agility, his passing range remains impressive and his one pass can pierce any defence.

He also remains Dalic go-to player in the big games as we witnessed in the quarter-final of the 2022 World Cup how Modri and Co controlled the game against Brazil until the penalties. They made one of the biggest upsets in the competition beating the Selecao on shootouts.

It’s very rare to find players at the age of 39 who continue to shine for the national team. Like Ronaldo, Modric has continued to make a big difference for Croatia and their fans are lucky to witness such a talented star who has etched is among the greatest midfielders in football.

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