Lionel Messi was always likely to be the story. Rightfully so. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar opened the scoring for Argentina as they beat Croatia 3-0 to reach the final of the World Cup on Tuesday night. The 35-year-old is held up in most quarters as the greatest player ever and, outside of a certain Portuguese forward and his fanbase, there is a collective will to see him lift the one trophy that has eluded him.
But, while we applaud a crowning night for one superstar, we should also mourn the exit of another. Croatia’s 37-year-old fulcrum Luka Modric will never again ignite a World Cup. While Messi will rightly receive his flowers as the world awaits the final of football’s biggest competition, now feels an appropriate time to laud Modric too.
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There has been an amusing aftermath to Messi reaching a second, and likely last, World Cup final. As football fans take stock of his achievements, inward-looking English fans are bemoaning the fact he never “did it in the Prem”. As if a hat-trick at Turf Moor would really make his record seven Ballon d’Ors sparkle that little bit brighter. It really is a ridiculous assertion. But Modric at least did grace England with his presence. And oh boy, could he do it in the Prem.
After conquering his homeland, lifting six trophies with Dinamo Zagreb, Modric was snapped up by Tottenham Hotspur manager Juande Ramos. The boss wouldn’t last beyond October, but Modric would last almost eternally. For four seasons he plied his trade in Lilywhite, but his influence and impact will endure for a lifetime.
At a time when Xavi and Andres Iniesta were bewitching the world, and Paul Scholes was undergoing a late-career renaissance as a deep-lying playmaker, Modric was Spurs’ version of these greats. Dictating the tempo of a Premier League midfield despite his 5’8” frame, Modric quickly became a talismanic figure. To borrow a phrase, stars like Gareth Bale were the gold paint on the Bentley, Modric was the engine.
It is appropriate to use an adage coined to describe Real Madrid’s departing Claude Makelele considering the fact Modric would end up at Los Blancos. He would be the first of twin-body blows Spurs endured at the hands of the Spanish giants. Modric left for the Bernabeu in the summer of 2012. Bale joined him in 2013. Tottenham had glimpsed greatness only to see it slip through their fingers.
World Cup finalist & semi-finalist.
Quality, leadership, pure class.
Symbol of his country.
Ballon d'Or winner.
Art in motion.
…last dance at the World Cup again as one of top players of tournament.
Luka Modrić 🎩🇭🇷
The Premier League’s loss was La Liga’s gain. Despite his achievements and moments of brilliance, the Real Madrid fanbase never quite took to Bale. His attitude was seen as superstar-ish and uncaring. But Modric was the quiet galactico. He was a big name not due to his movie star charisma or famous friends. The Croatian midfielder ascended to the very top of the game on the strength of his football alone. And what football it is.
Instrumental in five Champions League triumphs during his time with the club, Modric started every single final. Even at the age of 36, he lined up for the 2022 showpiece to help Los Blancos defeat Liverpool. Modric has also lifted three La Liga titles and a host of other domestic and continental honours over the course of his 454 appearances for the club.
A legendary figure at two clubs, arguably he is an even greater icon at international level. When he took to the field against Morocco in Croatia’s opener at this World Cup, he became the first player in history to appear at both European Championships and World Cups in three different decades. He helped steer his nation to the quarter finals of Euro 2008 before being the catalyst for their greatest achievement a decade later.
Modric was scintillating as Croatia reached the final of the 2018 World Cup. He was man of the match in the quarter final extra time win over Russia. He covered more ground than any player on the field as Croatia beat England in the semi final. They would lose to France in the final, but Modric’s incredible tournament performance would be rewarded with the FIFA Golden Ball award.
Incredibly, the 2018 Ballon d’Or would be next up for the midfield creator. No player outside of the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo axis had lifted the ultimate individual award since Kaka in 2007. Only one player away from that pair has lifted it since, in Karim Benzema. It is a true testament to Modric’s greatness that in an era utterly beholden to Messi and Ronaldo, he ascended briefly to the status of best in the world.
Despite being the most evergreen of players, it feels unlikely we will see a 41-year-old Modric at the 2026 World Cup. He remains an ever-present in the Real Madrid side, meaning we can savour his work for a little while longer at club level. But, as the best player of this generation prepares to play in the World Cup final, now feels like an appropriate time to give credit to the man who managed to stand alongside him and Ronaldo. This era will always be defined primarily by two players. But if there’s a bronze medal slot on that podium, I propose we give it to Luka Modric.
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