For the time being, Croatia can continue to rely on the art of its most important football player: Luka Modric wipes away all worries about a retirement from the table after the match for third place in the world champions.

Croatia’s superstar Luka Modric will continue his national team career at least until the Nations League final in the summer. The 37-year-old announced this after beating Morocco 2-1 in the match for third place at the World Cup in Qatar. “I’m enjoying being in the national team, I’m happy. I think I can still play at a high level. I want to play until the Nations League first and then we’ll have enough time to think about the European Championship,” Modric told TV -Broadcaster BeIN Sports.

The Real Madrid midfield star had left his future open before the World Cup – and presented a scenario in which a farewell would have been likely: “If that happened, that would be great. If we win, I could quit, yes.” Due to the semi-final defeat against Argentina, this outcome was a thing of the past. In the seven games in Qatar, the record national player presented himself in the old class. After second place at the World Cup in Russia four years ago, Croatia made it back into the top three teams. “This medal is very important for us, for me, for Croatia as a national team and as a country. We confirmed that Croatia plays an important role in world football. We leave Qatar as winners,” Modric stressed.

The Nations League final tournament will take place in June 2023 in the Netherlands. In addition to Croatia and hosts the Netherlands, Spain and Italy have also qualified. The European Championship will be held in Germany in 2024.

With Modric’s clear announcement, the former world footballer also makes coaches and teammates happy: “I really don’t hope that it will be his last World Cup. I hope for many more moments together,” said Leipzig’s Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol before the Croatians’ round of 16 against Japan said. National coach Zlatko Dalic was sure: “It won’t be his last tournament,” Dalic insisted. “We will still need him in the future.” The coach should be right.