Luka Modric, the sensible midfielder whose management has propelled Croatia to footballing heights, is poised to steer his nation at Euro 2024, possible marking his swan tune on the worldwide scene.
Approaching 39 years previous this September, Modric’s illustrious profession contains just lately clinching his sixth Champions League title with Real Madrid, the place negotiations for a brand new contract are ongoing.
“Luka secured the standing of the most effective Croatian soccer participant in historical past a very long time in the past.
“With his sixth European Championship title, he entered football history as one of the greatest players of this football era,” head of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) Marijan Kustic stated in an announcement.
Modric led Croatia to the ultimate of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and third place on the 2022 match in Qatar.
The midfielder was additionally instrumental in taking Croatia to the Nations League remaining final 12 months, the place they misplaced to Spain.
For Euro 2024, Modric might be returning to Germany, the place he performed in his first huge match with the nationwide staff on the 2006 World Cup, simply months after his Croatia debut.
He has performed 174 matches for Croatia and scored 24 targets.
Modric stays beloved for remaining humble amid his hovering success.
The midfielder grew up as a refugee in Zadar on the Dalmatian coast in the course of the Nineteen Nineties independence warfare.
Following the top of the combating, Modric left Zadar and later performed for Dinamo Zagreb in 2000 after which joined English Premier League membership Tottenham Hotspur in 2008.
In 2012, Modric signed on with Real Madrid, the place he has remained ever since.
Can hardly wait
Modric’s picture was briefly tarnished after he was charged with perjury in the course of the multimillion-euro corruption trial of Dinamo Zagreb’s highly effective former chief Zdravko Mamic in 2018.
But anger over the incident largely evaporated following the second-place World Cup end, whereas prosecutors finally dropped the case resulting from an absence of proof.
Despite the 4-2 defeat by France within the World Cup remaining in Russia, greater than 500,000 folks gave Modric and his staff a heroic welcome residence on their return to Zagreb.
In 2018, Modric received the Ballon d’Or, soccer’s most coveted award, for his position in Croatia’s World Cup success and Real Madrid’s third-straight Champions League trophy.
Experts have lengthy praised Modric for his bodily health together with the infinite vitality he brings to the pitch regardless of his age.
“He can hardly wait to play for Croatia and be our leader,” coach Zlatko Dalic instructed reporters in late May.
“Modric plays for the national team because it still needs him, because he is irreplaceable in it and because he cares about it,” Croatian day by day Vecernji List wrote in an editorial.
The paper referred to as Modric’s upcoming look on the pitch throughout Euro 2024 one of many “most anticipated football moments” of the 12 months.
Croatia followers will “most likely … witness the curtain fall on one of the most impressive careers of a football player in the national jersey,” the paper added.
Croatia is about to sq. off towards Spain of their opening Group B match on June 15, earlier than enjoying Balkan rival Albania and present European champions Italy.
Modric has but to formally touch upon his future with the nationwide staff, referred to as the “Fiery Ones” (Vatreni in Croatian).
Source: www.dailysabah.com