Luka Modric, who turns 41 on Wednesday, has signalled his intention to keep playing for Croatia rather than step away from the international stage, according to an announcement from the Croatian Football Federation.
The veteran midfielder, now with AC Milan, will continue representing his country in the upcoming Nations League fixtures, a decision that comes as Slaven Bilic returns for a second spell as Croatia's head coach. Bilic previously managed the national team between 2006 and 2012, a period that overlapped with the very start of Modric's international journey.
Modric made his senior debut for Croatia in March 2006, shortly before Bilic first took charge of the side. In the years since, he has amassed 202 caps, establishing himself as one of the most influential players in the nation's footballing history. Many had assumed his international career would end following Croatia's exit from this summer's World Cup, where Zlatko Dalic's team fell to Portugal in the round of 32. Instead, Modric has opted to press on.
Bilic welcomed the news with enthusiasm, reflecting on what the captain continues to mean for the squad. "Of course, Luka's decision makes me extremely happy," Bilic said. "We are all aware what he brings to Croatia, both on and off the pitch. I'm looking forward to working with him again, after 14 years, and we both share a strong ambition to keep Croatia a top, successful team, shoulder to shoulder with the best teams in the world."
The pair's history together stretches back to some of Croatia's most notable results against England. Under Bilic's first tenure, Croatia eliminated Steve McClaren's England side from Euro 2008 qualification, a result remembered for McClaren's infamous "wally with the brolly" moment at Wembley. Modric was part of that squad, and the team went on to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.
Since then, Modric has become one of the defining figures of the modern Croatian national team. He captained the side to the World Cup final in Russia in 2018, where Croatia ultimately lost to France, and his performances throughout that tournament earned him the Golden Ball as the competition's standout player. Four years later, in Qatar, he again played a central role as Croatia secured a third-place finish.
With Bilic now back at the helm and Modric committed to continuing, Croatia will look to build on that recent pedigree in a demanding stretch of Nations League matches. The team's next assignment takes them away to the Czech Republic on 26 September, followed by a trip to face Spain on 29 September. They will then host England on 3 October in Nations League action, before the reverse fixture takes place at Wembley on 12 November.
Modric's continued involvement offers Croatia both experience and leadership as they navigate this new managerial era. His longevity at the top level of international football, spanning nearly two decades and encompassing multiple major tournament finals and semi-finals, remains a rare feat in the modern game. As he approaches his 41st year, there appears to be no immediate end in sight to a career that has already cemented his status among the greatest midfielders of his generation.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.