Modric decided a month ago, Slaven Bilic returned to coach Croatia, having coached him from 2006 to 2012, and immediately said: “One of the first things I’ll do is talk to Modric. I’d like him to continue with the national team.”
In recent days, he’s moved from words to action: there was a meeting, in which Bilic asked Luka to continue playing in the chequered jersey. Modric will have to make a decision, and he will do so in the coming days, considering he never officially announced his decision to retire from international football.
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For Milan, it could be a burden. Luka will turn 41 in early September, so imagining a breathless season with league, European, and cup competition isn’t reassuring. The odds for Modric to win Milan’s player of the season are long, check out spinbet sports, but this man has a track record of upsetting the odds!
As Jose Mourinho said: “Luka is one of the best midfielders in the history of football. He makes everything look easy.”
The relationship between Modric and Bilic is unique. Bilic made his debut as Croatia’s national team coach on August 16, 2006, against Italy, and that day, Luka scored his first career goal for Croatia. They started out together, shared the same path for six years, then parted ways, but the bond hasn’t broken.
Eight months ago, Modric gave Bilic a one-hour and 40-minute interview. The idea of continuing to play for Croatia is tempting for Luka: he played in a World Cup final and semi-final with that team. Of course, the schedule is worth a look too though.
📊 World Cup Career Summary
|
Tournament |
Appearances |
Goals |
Assists |
Team Finish |
Individual Honors |
|
2006 Germany |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Group Stage |
— |
|
2014 Brazil |
3 |
0 |
0 |
Group Stage |
— |
|
2018 Russia |
7 |
2 |
1 |
Runners-up 🥈 |
Golden Ball (Tournament MVP) |
|
2022 Qatar |
7 |
0 |
0 |
Third Place 🥉 |
Bronze Ball |
|
2026 North America |
4 |
0 |
1 |
Knockout Rounds |
Oldest player to record a World Cup assist |
|
Total |
23 |
2 |
2 |
— |
— |
Milan will play two league matches before the end of August, against Torino and Venezia. In September, there will be three Serie A matches and the first Europa League match.
The pace changes with the autumn international break: Croatia will play in the Czech Republic on September 26th, in Spain on September 29th, against England on October 3rd, and at home to Spain on October 6th.
The league season resumes on October 11th, and then, between October 15th and November 5th, there will be three Europa League matches. The bottom line: matches will be played every three or four days (and there will be two more international matches in November).
It’s right for Modric’s heart to decide, but a bit of rest during the international breaks would make sense. Luka will decide in the next few days, while Modric‘s departure from Milan is looming, despite his renewal.
His daughter, Ema – who shocked Milan fans four months ago with a photo of herself holding a giant trophy she won with the AC Milan Under-13 team – will continue her career elsewhere.
The Modric family – for school reasons – will live in Madrid, not Milan. There’s always time to return: dad, who as a child took photos in his Milan tracksuit, has waited a lifetime…
Gamble Responsibly, peoples!
