Luka Modric Faces Possible Retirement After Croatia's World Cup Exit

Luka Modric, the legendary Croatian midfielder, may be playing the final match of his illustrious career following Croatia's 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup. At 40 years old and currently a free agent after a season with AC Milan, Modric's future in professional football is uncertain. He previously played for Tottenham Hotspur from 2008 to 2012 and is best known for his long tenure at Real Madrid between 2012 and 2025, where he won six UEFA Champions League titles, more than any other player in history, and four La Liga championships.

Modric has earned 202 caps for the Croatian national team, making him one of only four players to surpass 200 appearances. He led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and a third-place finish in 2022, earning the Ballon d'Or in 2018. His childhood club, Dinamo Zagreb, has been linked with a potential return for a farewell season, though retirement remains a strong possibility. Other veteran Croatian players such as Ivan Perisic (37), Andrej Kramaric (35), and Ante Budimir (35) may also be concluding their international careers, following the retirements of Dejan Lovren and Ivan Rakitic.

Croatia's coach Zlatko Dalic, who has been at the helm since 2017, is expected to continue leading the team. The 2026 World Cup exit marks a significant transition period for Croatian football as it prepares for the future.