AC Milan midfielder Luka Modrić will continue playing international football for Croatia, after the country’s football association confirmed on Saturday that the veteran midfielder intends to remain available for upcoming Nations League matches.
Modrić, who turns 41 on Wednesday, had been expected to retire from international football following Croatia’s World Cup campaign. However, the national team captain has decided to extend his international career and could feature against England later this year.
The decision comes alongside the return of Slaven Bilić as Croatia manager. Bilić previously coached the national side between 2006 and 2012 and was in charge when Modrić made his senior international debut in March 2006.
Modrić has since become Croatia’s most-capped player, with 202 appearances for his country. He has played a central role in the team’s greatest achievements, including their run to the 2018 World Cup final and their third-place finish at the 2022 tournament.
The midfielder won the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup after helping Croatia reach the final, where they lost 4-2 to France. He was also part of the squad that finished third in Qatar four years later.
Bilić said: “Of course, Luka’s decision makes me extremely happy. We are all aware what he brings to Croatia, both on and off the pitch.
“I’m looking forward to working with him again, after 14 years, and we both share a strong ambition to keep Croatia a top, successful team, shoulder to shoulder with the best teams in the world.”
Bilić was also in charge of Croatia when they beat England in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, famously denying Steve McClaren’s side a place at the tournament.
Modrić, who currently plays for AC Milan, will now have the chance to further extend his remarkable international record.
Croatia’s upcoming Nations League fixtures include away matches against the Czech Republic on September 26 and Spain on September 29, before hosting England on October 3. The return fixture against England will take place at Wembley on November 12.
