Luka Modric officially closed his journey at the World Cup after Croatia stopped regretfully against Portugal in the 1/16 round. Despite the incomplete ending, the 40-year-old midfielder still left the biggest football stage in the world with the status of one of the greatest legends in the history of the tournament.
After the final whistle, Cristiano Ronaldo approached and hugged his former teammate at Real Madrid. That moment was like a tribute to a player who has dedicated more than two decades to top football and becomes a symbol of Croatia.
Croatia seemed to have dragged the match into a penalty shootout when Josko Gvardiol put the ball into the net in the 90+13 minute. However, VAR determined the goal was invalid, closing Modric's dream at the last World Cup in his career.
Luka played excellently in the second half and once again is our leader. He showed qualities, bravery and led Croatia to fight to the last minute" - coach Zlatko Dalic shared after the match.
Closing his World Cup career, Modric left behind a remarkable record with the runner-up in 2018, third place in 2022, the 2018 World Cup Golden Ball title and the 2022 World Cup Bronze Ball. He also made 23 appearances at the biggest football festival on the planet, equaling legend Paolo Maldini and only behind 4 players in history.
At the age of 40, Modric still shows incredible energy. After a not-so-satisfactory start at the 2026 World Cup, he gradually regained his form and continued to be the "soul" in the Croatian midfield. Against Portugal, this midfielder played more than 110 minutes, more than Ronaldo, while still maintaining his ability to control the match and read situations at the top level.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez did not hesitate to praise the former Real Madrid midfielder: "Modric is a great example of endurance. He plays football like a young player, but possesses the thinking of a master".
Throughout the match, Modric continuously appeared at all hot spots, from deep backing to support defense to intelligent attacking surges. Although his speed is no longer as at his peak, he still shows a tireless fighting spirit.
After the match, Ronaldo also expressed his gratitude to his old teammate: "Modric is a legend of football. I wish him all the best in the remaining years of his career".
It is not yet clear whether the match against Portugal will be Modric's last time wearing the Croatian shirt. The midfielder born in 1985 will turn 41 in September and has made a total of 202 appearances for the national team, in addition to nearly 1,000 club-level matches.
Although the future is still uncertain, the legacy that Modric left behind is almost irreplaceable. He is the one who brought Croatia - a country of just over 4 million people - to the top three of the World Cup twice, something that few teams can do.
Not only is he an outstanding conductor, Modric has also become a symbol of will, persistence and desire to conquer. The World Cup may have closed for him, but Modric's position in football history will last for a very long time.
