Luka Modric may have made his final appearance at a World Cup but Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic is confident the midfielder will continue playing until Euro 2024 – though the player himself says he will take the decision ‘step by step’.
The 37-year-old enjoyed yet another stellar tournament for his country, pulling the strings in midfield to help Croatia secure a third-place finish at the World Cup in Qatar.
After finishing as runners-up in Russia four years ago, the nation of just 4million people claimed the bronze medal after a 2-1 victory over Morocco on Saturday evening.
Josko Gvardiol opened the scoring after just seven minutes following a superb free-kick routine though Achraf Dari hit back within minutes, while Mislav Orsic netted what proved to be the winning goal with a stunning finish just before half-time.
Modric – whose contract with Real Madrid expires at the end of the season – has previously said it would be his ‘dream’ to retire at the Bernabeu, and there had been suggestions that football fans may be witnessing the end of his international career in Qatar.
But, with the next European Championship in Germany just a year-and-a-half away, Modric says he will not be hanging up his boots just yet and will definitely play in next summer’s Nations League.
Speaking to beIN Sports after the win over Morocco, he said: ‘About my future? I don’t know if I will be [playing] until the Euros in Germany. We will see. I need to go step by step.
‘I’m enjoying the national team, I feel happy, I still think I can perform on a high level. I want to continue at least until the Nations League [in the summer] and then after that there will be more time to think about the Euros. But now it’s just going step by step and go at least until Nations League and after we will see.’
Croatia boss Dalic was rather more confident about the prospect of seeing Modric in Germany in 2024, saying: ‘He’s our captain, he’s our big boss!
‘He played fantastic this tournament. He’s 37 years old but he played like he was 20, or 25 maximum!
‘He’s our leader and everybody follows him. I’m very happy with Luka Modric, this [third-place] medal is also for him.
‘He did a fantastic job. Some people think that it’s the end [of his international career] but I think Luka Modric will stay with us for a long time.’
Asked if he has spoken to the midfielder, and whether he intends to stay until Euro 2024, Dalic replied: ‘I hope, I hope, I hope.’ Asked if Modric said yes to continuing, he added: ‘Yes.’
Speaking earlier this year, Modric said: ‘Of course I want to retire in Madrid, I’ve said that many times. You can’t say anything for 100%, but that’s my idea, and it’s a dream for me.’
If Modric wants to retire at Real Madrid and play until Euro 2024, it could mean the midfielder will sign another one-year extension with Los Blancos that will see him eventually hang up his boots at the age of 39.
MORE : Croatia beat Morocco in thrilling match to claim third-place at 2022 World Cup
MORE : Rio Ferdinand reveals Manchester United nearly signed Luka Modric but bought £17m flop instead
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