Modrić called up for Nations League with Croatia at 41

At 41, when most players have already hung up their boots or are winding down their careers in lesser leagues, Luka Modrić is still getting the call to represent Croatia in official competitions. Coach Slaven Bilić named him on Monday in the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League, and the midfielder will earn his 203rd cap for Croatia on September 26, when the team travels to face the Czech Republic in the Group A opener.

The fact that Modrić is still there at this stage of his career no longer surprises anyone who follows European soccer closely. But it's worth putting the number in context: only Cristiano Ronaldo, with 233 appearances for Portugal, has more international caps than him. Lionel Messi, who announced his retirement from the Argentina national team just a week ago, finished with 207. Modrić, with 203, belongs to that very small group of players who have sustained their level at the highest tier for more than two decades.

The Croatian arrives at this call up fresh off a decision that also made headlines in July: he signed a one year extension with AC Milan, the club he joined after leaving Real Madrid. The decision didn't seem to give Bilić any pause when it came to calling him in.

I didn't have to convince him. He's passionate about Croatia and the national team, so this is a win win situation for everyone.Slaven Bilić

That said, this doesn't mean Modrić will play all three group matches without rest. Bilić has already made clear that managing his minutes will be key to getting the most out of him without wearing him down too much, which makes sense given the workload Milan also demands of him.

He's going to play at a pace that suits both him and us, similar to the pace he keeps at Milan. We have to respect that, and it will be best for everyone.Slaven Bilić

A World Cup that didn't take a toll

The announcement of his renewal with the Italian club came right after Modrić returned from his fifth World Cup, where he started in all four matches Croatia played and passed the 200 cap mark with the national team. The tournament ended on a bitter note: Croatia fell 2-1 to Portugal in the round of 16, in a match marked by a disallowed goal that sparked controversy. Modrić, in fact, was still on the field in the 109th minute when it was all decided.

Now, with the 2026-27 Nations League ahead, Croatia shares a group with two heavyweights: Spain, the reigning world champions, and England. The group stage will be played between September and November, and everything points to Modrić being there, managed carefully but present, trying to add more chapters to a career that already ranks among the longest in recent soccer history.