Luka Modric has been the engine that has propelled Croatia all the way to the final of the Nations League on Sunday, where they will face a Spain squad that he is intimately familiar with and might win their first ever major title.
As of this month, the 37-year-old veteran midfielder has one month left on his contract with Real Madrid, which raises questions about his future in both international football and at the club level with Real Madrid.
Prior to settling them, the captain of the Croatian national team, Luka Modric, has set his sights on leading his team to victory in Rotterdam at De Kuip.
Beginning with their third-place result at the World Cup in 1998, the nation from the Balkans has repeatedly outperformed expectations on the international scene over the previous 25 years.
After that, they advanced to the final of the 2018 World Cup, where they were ultimately defeated by France. The following year, they competed in Qatar and again ended in third place, this time after knocking off tournament favorites Brazil.
“We have once again become a powerhouse in football, showing that despite all of our problems, we have quality and character,” remarked Zlatko Dalic, the head coach of Croatia.
“It is important for us to maintain our composure and use sound judgment as we make our way toward that gold. My heart’s desire is to have all three: bronze, silver, and gold.
Croatia advanced to the final of the Nations League with a 4-2 victory over the Netherlands in extra time, moving them one step closer to the elusive “gold.” Modric scored on a penalty kick to help rocket Croatia into the final of the competition.
There have been rumors that Modric may step down from his role as an international player following the conclusion of the Nations League, but the player has stated that he will make a decision on his future after the competition.
“I always enjoy playing for the national team, and it’s not because it could be my last competition or my last match,” stated Modric. “I always enjoy playing for the national team.”
“Each and every match, as well as every training session, is a pleasure. As long as I believe that I am able to contribute in some way, there is no reason for me to not be here.
The maestro of the Croatian midfield pulled the strings for his team, beating Frenkie de Jong of Barcelona, but Rodri of Manchester City will give a much tougher challenge later on.
The hero of City’s Champions League final is a crucial component for Luis de la Fuente’s La Roja, who are still getting their bearings under de la Fuente.
The fury around Spain was soothed by Joselu’s late goal that helped them overcome Italy in Enschede, and now they have a chance to end a trophy drought that has lasted for almost a decade, with their most recent victory coming in Euro 2012.
Rodri stated his thoughts on the matter during a news conference on Saturday. “It will be very important to win again, after all this time, bringing Spain back to the highest point,” he said.
“It’s not just important to win; to create a winning culture, we need to understand that we have a unique opportunity,” the speaker said. “It’s not just important to win.”