Modrić Still Shines at 41
The Croatian captain proved in a preseason match against Manchester United that he can still perform at the highest level, with a final decision on his international future potentially coming on October 6.
The Croatian captain proved in a preseason match against Manchester United that he can still perform at the highest level, with a final decision on his international future potentially coming on October 6.
Luka Modrić, Croatia's football captain and AC Milan player, continues to defy time. At 41 years old, Modrić not only continues to play at an elite professional level, but he does so with such consistency that his excellence is no longer news. After the World Cup with Croatia, he decided to stay another year with the Italian giants, despite Milan's disappointing past season in which they failed to qualify for European competitions.
Modrić completed the full preseason with Milan and played in the final warm-up match before the season began. Milan defeated Manchester United 4-2 in Wroclaw, Poland, with the Croatian midfielder coming on for the last half hour. Immediately upon entering, he was handed the captain's armband, and Italian sports journalists noted an impressive stat: Modrić had 23 passes without a single error.
His dedication and quality have long ceased to be breaking news, according to the source. People have simply gotten used to Luka enduring. Last season, many Milan players disappointed, but Modrić did not. Italian reporters claim that Milan would have secured European qualification had Modrić not suffered an unpleasant facial injury that kept him sidelined for months, at one point even casting doubt on his participation in the World Cup.
The Croatian captain's motivation is unbreakable. Dnevno.hr reminds us that Modrić was in a similar position over twenty years ago, when, waiting for his big break, he was sent on loan to Mostar's Zrinski and Zaprešić's Inter before finally shining at Dinamo. He never gave up during the toughest moments; in fact, he was even better then.
Today, after playing in five World Cups (six had Croatia qualified for South Africa in 2010), Modrić feels the motivation of a junior player just knocking on the door of the first team. His longevity continues to surprise, but it also raises questions about the end of his international career.
The question arises whether to believe the information that Modrić intends to bid farewell to the Croatian national team in a Nations League match against world champions Spain in Split on October 6. The final decision could surprise everyone, the source concludes.
