Luka Modric to keep playing for Croatia in the UEFA Nations League at 41

Four days before turning 41, Luka Modric decided he still isn't ready to hang up his Croatia jersey. The news was confirmed by the Croatian Football Federation itself: the Milan midfielder will remain available for the national team and will take on Croatia's upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, with Spain, England and the Czech Republic as the opponents on deck.

Modric himself relayed the news to head coach Slaven Bilic and federation president Marijan Kustic. It's no small commitment: six matches between September and November in Group A3, a demanding schedule for any player, let alone one at his age.

Just a few weeks ago, everything pointed to Modric's international career possibly having ended at the worst possible moment. Croatia was eliminated by Portugal in the round of 32 of the World Cup held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, on July 2, in a match that stirred plenty of controversy. Many assumed that was the end of a run of five straight World Cups. Modric had other plans.

The federation didn't hide its joy over the decision. In a message posted on X, it celebrated that the player "is ready to continue his fascinating international career, with 202 appearances and historic achievements" under the Croatian crest. Those numbers already make him a defining figure in his country's football history.

Bilic, whose path crosses with Modric's again after 14 years, didn't hide his excitement:

Luka's decision makes me extremely happy. We're all aware of what he brings to Croatia, both on and off the field. I can't wait to work with him again after 14 years. We both share a strong ambition to keep Croatia among the elite, successful teams, standing shoulder to shoulder with the best sides in the world.Slaven Bilic

An era like no other

Modric continuing to log minutes for the national team is no accident or whim. The midfielder has been the engine behind the most successful stretch in Croatian football history: the runner-up finish at the 2018 World Cup, the third-place finish in Qatar 2022, and the 2023 Nations League final. It's hard to find another player who has been so decisive in a nation's recent history.

The schedule is already circled in red for Croatian fans. The opener comes on the road, on September 26, against the Czech Republic, and three days later Croatia will travel to Seville to face Spain. Back at home, they'll host England and then Spain again on October 3 and 6. The group stage will wrap up in November: first at Wembley against England on the 12th, and three days later, back home, against the Czech Republic.

With 41 just around the corner, Modric shows no signs of slowing down. And as long as Croatia keeps needing him, it looks like he'll keep answering the call.