Real Madrid veteran dreaming of playing 2026 FIFA World Cup - Reports
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is reportedly looking to feature in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA. The Croatian will be nearly 41 when the tournament kicks off.
Modric has been one of the key players for Los Blancos since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2012. In 536 games across competitions, he has contributed 39 goals and 86 assists.
The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner became the most decorated Los Blancos player when he won his 27th title with the club at the UEFA Super Cup last week, where Carlo Ancelotti's side beat Atalanta 2-0 in Warsaw.
Modric, 38, appeared at UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany this summer, where Croatia exited in the group stage after failing to qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams.
As per AS, the Croatian is not quite done with international major tournaments, as he's looking to appear at the FIFA World Cup two years from now. A bonafide Los Blancos legend, Modric has been called up by Croatia boss Zlatko Delic for the upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Portugal and Poland in September.
Modric made history at Euro 2024, with his opener in the 1-1 group-stage draw with Italy making him the oldest player to score in the Euros. Although not a prolific scorer, he became the third player to score in at least four editions of the competition.
How has Real Madrid legend Luka Modric fared for Croatia?
Luka Modric has been a performer par excellence for Croatia since his senior international debut in a 3-2 friendly win over Argentina in 2006.
In an international career spanning 18 years and counting, the Real Madrid legend has contributed 26 goals and 29 assists in 178 games for the 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up.
Except four goals and 10 assists in 47 friendlies, all his other goal contributions have come in competitive outings. Modric has six goals and as many assists in 46 European qualifiers and seven goals and as many assists in 34 qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup.
In the Euros, Modric has netted four assists - one each in five editions of the competition, while in the FIFA World Cup, he has two goals and an assist in 19 games.
Modric's three other competitive goals and as many assists - in 16 games - have come in the UEFA Nations League.