The evergreen Luka Modric is ready to lead Croatia again on the biggest stage of all: the FIFA World Cup™. Thanks in no small part to his inspirational leadership and undoubted quality, the Vatreni claimed top-four places at both of the last two editions, finishing as runners-up in 2018 and third in 2022. Now a key cog in the AC Milan midfield, Modric will be aiming to finish on the podium again in North America, in what could well be his last taste of the global showpiece.
Modric’s achievements and attributes
Modric came to the fore with his exceptional technique, tactical intelligence and a quiet yet influential leadership style. After starting out at Dinamo Zagreb, his burgeoning talent took him to Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur before a big move to Real Madrid, where he won it all: six UEFA Champions League crowns, four Spanish league titles and a plethora of domestic and international trophies – including six FIFA global club titles – becoming the heartbeat of Los Blancos’ midfield for more than a decade.
His style, built on technical finesse, changes of rhythm and pinpoint passing, defines a modern playmaker capable of dictating the tempo like few others in the history of the beautiful game. The pinnacle of his career arguably came in 2018. After leading Croatia to the final in Russia, Modric was crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Player, firmly placing him among the game’s all-time greats.
After 13 trophy-laden seasons in the Spanish capital, Modric moved to northern Italy last year. He has since lit up Serie A and used his wealth of experience to reinvigorate AC Milan. With close to 200 caps for his country, Modric remains a leading light under Zlatko Dalic and will be determined to spring yet another surprise on the global stage in 2026.
Modric tributes
“He’s extraordinary. I love him. His technical and tactical ability is immense. He always reads attacking and defensive situations before anyone else.”
Zvonimir Boban
“Luka is the heartbeat of our team. Everything goes through him and he makes everything easier.”
Zinedine Zidane
“Modric can play in any position because he’s a complete and modern midfielder. A consummate professional and one of the best I’ve ever coached. He has a tremendous passion for football and that’s why he can keep playing with some longevity. Modric is unique. No other player comes close.”
Carlo Ancelotti
“He’s not just a player leaving Real Madrid, but a genius who turned the game into art in its purest form, a loyal friend and a brother. He filled the stands with fans and kept millions glued to their screens, not wishing to miss a single moment. The Bernabeu lights will no longer shine on him taking to the pitch, but his name will forever be etched in golden letters in the club’s history, alongside its greatest legends.”
Sergio Ramos
“He’s certainly the engine of this national team. His energy and strength, at his age, are extraordinary and set an example for everyone else. It’s much easier to get down to work when you have a player like Luka Modric, who’s a model of professionalism both as a person and as a footballer, and who approaches the task at hand with the utmost seriousness, even at this stage of his career.”
Zlatko Dalic
Modric trivia
Modric stats
Modric’s World Cup history
Modric’s World Cup journey began in Germany in 2006, when the midfielder featured against Japan and Australia as Croatia were eliminated in the group stage. They then narrowly missed out on the 2010 edition in South Africa.
In Brazil in 2014, Croatia suffered the same fate as in 2006. Ever-present in all three group matches, Modric and his team-mates recorded a solitary victory over Cameroon in their second outing, either side of defeats at the hands of Brazil and Mexico, both by 3-1 scorelines.
It was a proverbial whole new ball game in Russia in 2018, however. Wearing the captain’s armband, Modric led the way from the very start, finding the net in the opening 2-0 win over Nigeria and again in a commanding 3-0 victory against Argentina. The Vatreni also triumphed in their final group game, defeating Iceland 2-1, before overcoming Denmark on penalties in the round of 16.
Another shoot-out success followed in the quarter-finals against hosts Russia to set up a semi-final showdown with England, which Croatia won 2-1 after extra time. The final against France, however, did not follow the same script, a frantic 4-2 defeat denying Modric a place at the pinnacle of world football.
Croatia mounted another impressive run in Qatar four years later. After progressing from a group featuring Belgium, Canada and Morocco, they defeated Japan and Brazil, both on penalties, in the knockout stage.
Argentina avenged their 2018 defeat with a 3-0 victory in the semi-finals, however, before going on to lift the trophy. Croatia, meanwhile, secured third place thanks to a 2-1 triumph over Morocco.
Modric and Croatia’s World Cup 2026
Drawn in Group L alongside England, Ghana and Panama, Modric and Co. will be vying to return to the knockout phase and replicate their remarkable runs at the last two global bonanzas. Their ultimate aim will be to go one step further than in 2018 by lifting the trophy for the first time in the nation’s history.
