At 37 years of age, it is highly unlikely that Luka Modric will be playing in the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada in three and a half years' time. He will be about to turn 41 and his life may already be on a different path away from the pitch.
But who knows? Because watching him play, with an enthusiasm and with a physique that can withstand anything, maybe an unlikely utopia could become reality. His coach, Zlatko Dalic, said before the match against Morocco that he wanted to convince him to extend his international career until the next European Championships in 2024.
And, for the moment, it seems that Modric, who has not yet made a statement on his future with the national side, is going to continue a little longer, as he himself has declared: "I want to continue until the Nations League at least and then we'll see."
Closing a glorious chapter that includes a runners-up spot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and a bronze medal four years later this year in Qatar would not be unreasonable. Although, Modric still has the itch of having not become a champion and seems to want to try again. "It might be (my last World Cup), but I can't say anything. I'm very happy for my whole career with Croatia".
The Real Madrid maestro has a knack for success. Since the World Cup ball started rolling, he has played almost as much as possible. Why not continue that run a little longer?
Modric's minutes
In the first match of the tournament, also against Morocco, like the last one, he played the full 90 minutes. That was on November 23rd. Four days later he played 85 minutes in the victory over Canada. There was no need to keep him on the pitch with a convincing 3-1 lead, later to be made 4-1. The job was not done in the group stage though, so he returned to play the full match in the draw with Belgium.
With the task completed in the group and his country in the Round of 16, Modric was called upon to play his heart out against Japan. After 90 minutes of normal time, he added nine more in extra time before being replaced by Lovro Majer. He watched the penalty shoot-out against the Japanese from the bench.
Croatia went through and, of course, Dalic called on him another four days later. In the quarterfinals, Modric played 120 minutes and took part in a penalty shoot-out in which neither he nor his teammates missed to eliminate Brazil and go through to the semi-finals.
Little Luka's legs got to work again against Argentina, but it turned out to be perhaps one of his worst memories with his national team. After 80 minutes he left the pitch when there was no chance of going through to the final. The only redeeming thing about the match for Modric was the standing ovation he received from the whole stadium and it was well deserved.
There was talk that the match for third and fourth place was of no interest at all to either team. That proved to be nonsense and it clearly meant a lot to the Croatians to win the bronze medal. Modric stoically endured the whole match to help them win and reap the rewards they earnt as a result.
No one could tell by watching him play that he is 37 years old nor, after listening to him, that he will not play in the next World Cup.
Time will tell whether we will see Modric in the famous checkered shirt of Croatia again. One thing is for sure, though, he will forever be a footballing legend.
