Croatia national team coach Zlatko Dalic is confident skipper Luka Modric won’t retire anytime soon from playing international football.
The mentor hopes the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner will not hang after playing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this month, but goes further and play in the 2024 Euro finals that will be hosted by Germany.
The 37-year-old was key for Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and in the 2020 Euro finals. He helped his nation reach the Final and in the Round of 16 respectively.
“I’m certain he’ll stay on the team, and that this won’t be his last major tournament. Luka is playing amazing football and he can continue doing so,” said Dalic.
“Knowing Modric, it might not be his last, nothing is impossible with him the thibgs he dows at his age are incredible. He’s improving everyday and has so much energy when he plays for the national team.
“It will very likely be his last World Cup and I’m sure he will do his utmoat to make a significant contribution. Croatia wont be the same after Modric’s retirement.”
Modric is one of the most capped players for Croatia. So far, he has 154 caps and has represented The Vatreni [The Blazers] in many competitions.
He has found the back of the net 23 times and provided 24 assists for the national team.
Dalic announced his 34-man Croatia preliminary squad on October 31st. The squad will be cut down to 26 players. The final squad will be announced on November 9th.
Croatia 34-man preliminary squad
Goalkeepers
Dominik Livaković, Ivica Ivušić, Ivo Grbić, Dominik Kotarski, Nediljko Labrović
Defenders
Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Borna Barišić, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Juranović, Joško Gvardiol, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongracić, Martin Erlić, Josip Šutalo
Midfielders
Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Marcelo Brozović, Mario Pasalić, Nikola Vlašić, Luka Ivanušec, Lovro Majer, Kristijan Jakić, Luka Sučić, Josip Mišić
Forwards
Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Josip Brekalo, Bruno Petković, Mislav Oršić, Ante Budimir, Marko Livaja, Antonio Mirko Čolak
