Who Is Luka Modric?
Luka Modric is, by almost any measure, the greatest midfielder of his generation. He is 40 years old, Croatian, and still playing football at the highest level — at Real Madrid in Spain.
He grew up during the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s. His grandfather was killed in front of him when he was a child. Football was his escape, his passion, his purpose.
What Has He Won?
At club level with Real Madrid: six Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, and dozens of other trophies. He is one of the most decorated club footballers in history.
In 2018, he won the Ballon d’Or — the award given every year to the best footballer in the world. It ended 12 consecutive years of Messi and Ronaldo winning the prize. Nobody had beaten them since 2007. Modric was that good.
For Croatia he has played over 170 international games — more than any other player in his country’s history. He led them to the World Cup final in 2018 and third place in 2022. He knocked England out of the 2018 semi-final almost single-handedly.
Why Is This His Last World Cup?
Modric is 40 years old. The 2026 World Cup will almost certainly be the last major tournament of his career. He is still playing, still brilliant in moments, but no longer the force of nature he once was physically.
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic described the England game as “a fantastic occasion” — partly because he knows what Modric against England means. The old warrior against the tournament favourites. One last time.
What Does It Mean for England?
England fans will need no reminder of what Modric can do. He is the reason England went home in 2018. Tuchel will have spent significant time preparing his team for how to limit Modric’s influence — Declan Rice in particular will be tasked with sitting on him and preventing him from controlling the tempo.
But trying to stop Modric and succeeding are very different things. Even at 40, he will find space, play the perfect pass and remind the world why he is one of the greatest footballers who ever lived. England: be warned.
