Luka Modric poised for final World Cup appearance as Croatia's midfield general

Luka Modric, the 40-year-old midfield maestro, is on track to anchor Croatia’s midfield in what is widely expected to be his fifth and final World Cup appearance. This comes after the Real Madrid star underwent cheekbone surgery in April, but is anticipated to recover in time for the tournament.

Croatia enters the competition aiming to maintain its reputation as a footballing overachiever, a status cemented by their consistent strong performances in major tournaments. However, Modric’s fitness has been a significant point of concern for the team.

As the team’s undisputed ‘heartbeat’, Modric’s presence on the field will be vital. The tournament will serve as a key test for Croatia’s ability to manage the transition from an experienced core to emerging talent. Known for his leadership and experience, Modric brings an impressive 196 caps to the squad, having also won 28 major trophies with Real Madrid.

Supporting Modric in midfield will be seasoned players like Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic, and Andrej Kramaric. This experienced contingent will be essential, especially with the international retirement of Marcelo Brozovic, who was a long-term midfield anchor.

The defense features emerging stars Josko Gvardiol, 24, and Luka Vuskovic, 19. Gvardiol, a standout in the 2022 World Cup, recently returned in May after a five-month layoff due to a tibial fracture, while Vuskovic has recovered from a knee injury.

In attack, Igor Matanovic, Nikola Vlasic, and Petar Musa are expected to provide Croatia with scoring prowess. The team’s journey begins against England on June 17 in Arlington, Texas, followed by matches against Ghana and Panama in a challenging Group L. Manager Zlatko Dalic, who has overseen Croatia’s most successful era since 2017, will be hoping Modric can orchestrate one last memorable campaign on the world’s biggest footballing stage.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)