Croatian midfielder Luka Modric will end his professional career after Copa of Mundo in 2026, according to information in the Italian press. The decision accelerated after AC Milan was left out of Liga’s Campeões next season, making it impossible for them to continue at the club. Modric will compete in the group stage of the tournament with Croácia’s team between June 17th and 27th.
The Rossoneri’s failure to qualify for the European competition made it practically impossible for the midfielder to remain at Milan. Ele would not be opposed to finishing his elite trajectory after the tournament in Norte’s América, ruling out any possibility of transferring to alternative leagues such as MLS or Arábia Saudita.
Temporada difficult marks the Croatian’s decision
Modric experienced his first year away from Real Madrid after more than a decade at the Spanish institution. At AC Milan, the player participated in a campaign full of ups and downs, fighting for titles in the middle of the season, but seeing the collapse of the team led by Massimiliano Allegri in the final stretch. The defeat to Cagliari in the last round of Série A sealed the club’s fate away from the continental elite.
Veículos from the Italian press, including Nico Schira, confirm this information as practically certain. The midfielder, at 40 years old, considers the end of his career during the world tournament a worthy conclusion, similar to what happened to Zinedine Zidane in his time.
Awesome Trajetória on Copas from Mundo
Modric is considered the best Croatian player in the history of Copas and Mundo. Suas tournament statistics include:
- 5 appearances in Copas by Mundo (2006, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026)
- 19 matches played for the national team
- 2 goals scored
- Ambos the goals in Rússia’s Copa in 2018, when he took Croácia to the final
The 2022 tournament at Catar resulted in third place for the Balkan team. Modric and his teammates lost to Argentina in the semifinals, but won the bronze medal after defeating Marrocos in the third place match.
Grupo of Modric on Copa of Mundo 2026
Croácia will face Inglaterra, Panamá and Gana in the group stage. The possibility of clashing with Colômbia in the round of 16 also exists for the team’s path in the tournament. Modric will play his fifth Copa of Mundo in 2026, representing a symbolic farewell to one of the biggest names in international football of the last 20 years.