World Cup 2026 has been a bittersweet experience, where you can't identify which team is an underdog or a favorite. While Argentina, Brazil, France, and Mexico have shown their dominance, it was sad to see Japan and the Netherlands exit in the round of 32. Another similar sad moment happened a few hours ago, when two legends met each other, but only one passed through. Luka Modrić's Croatia's World Cup chapter ended, which gave Cristiano Ronaldo a chance to solidify his power.
Croatia's 2-1 dramatic defeat to Portugal almost ensured that you won't be witnessing Modrić in a red and white checkerboard jersey anymore. While Modrić had not officially announced his retirement, we haven't seen many playmakers playing at the age of 44. The 40-year-old midfielder has graced Croatian as well as European Club football for around 23 years. Under his leadership, Croatia not only defeated heavyweights but also gave a once-in-a-lifetime performance in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
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A Classic Night, A Cruel Finish
While it was a delightful night for Portuguese fans, it was a tough one for Madridistas. With Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup dream on one side and Luka Modrić on the other, it was hard. Croatia had an early lead through Ivan Perišić in the 53rd minute, but Ronaldo's penalty at the 68th minute equalized the score.
In the 81st minute, Cristiano Ronaldo was subbed by Rúben Neves, which was criticized by many fans. However, the stoppage-time goal by another substitute, Gonçalo Ramos, tilted the match towards Portugal. Just when we thought that it was going to end in a Portuguese victory, a cross from Rafael Leão led to an equalizer in the last seconds. However, it was considered offside, which meant the end of the World Cup journey for the Croatian side.
It felt harsh for Croatians and the efforts Modrić and his team put in throughout the game, but Portugal were statistically a better side with 62% possession, 92% pass accuracy, and 3 shots on target. With Germany, the Netherlands, and Croatia out of the World Cup, it would be hard to call any team a favorite at this point. In this edition of the FIFA World Cup, rankings, stats, and numbers don't matter. What matters is the persistence, performance, and luck on that given day.
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The Journey That Changed Croatia
Luka Modrić is undoubtedly the best midfielder of this generation, and to back this statement, you must look at what this man has built for Croatian football. He first showed up at a World Cup when Croatia was still living in the nostalgia of the 1998 bronze medal. In 2006, he debuted against Argentina in a friendly match, where they won 3-2, and he witnessed Lionel Messi scoring his first international goal.
Croatia was looking for a generational talents which could change the trajectory of national football. And Modrić was one of the best answers. After early setbacks from 2006 to 2014, Modrić's team defeated bigger teams like Argentina and England to play in their first FIFA World Cup final. However, they lost to France 4-2 despite having 61% possession, more shots, fewer fouls and more corners.
FIFA World Cup 2026 was his sixth World Cup appearance, and he had been the defining figure for Croatian football. In sports terms, you can call the period from 2018 to 2026 the golden generation of Croatian football. For a country smaller than West Virginia, playing against traditional football powerhouses became the norm. Now, the 2026 Croatian football team was not a surprise package, but one of the strongest contenders, despite having fewer youngsters.
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The End of a World Cup Era
When the final whistle blew, hopes turned into grief as it might be the last time fans were witnessing the greatest Croatian midfielder. Coach Zlatko Dalić acknowledged that this was probably Modrić's last World Cup match, though he left a small opening by noting that only time would tell what the next four years might bring.
Dalić's statement captured the mood inside the Toronto stadium, and every fan felt a sense of farewell to their favorite midfielder. However, the door has not been shut formally, and we might witness Modrić playing for AC Milan. The 40-year-old midfielder did not announce his own, but his expressions of disappointment, silence, and exhaustion implied enough about the moment.
For Croatia's younger generation, his legacy stretches well past the scoreline sheets and trophy cabinet. In 2018, he ended the dominance of Messi and Ronaldo by winning his first Ballon d'Or and becoming the first and only Croatian to win the accolade. As fans, we might want to witness more of Modrić's skillful play internationally as well as at AC Milan, but sports is one such area where ages matter a lot.
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For the global football world, the Toronto stadium felt like a well-written sad story where a hero tries everything to save his people, but eventually loses. What makes Modrid special is not his affiliation with Real Madrid, his goal record, or his ability to take Croatia to the World Cup knockouts thrice, but his intelligence, technique, and perseverance that can carry a player through five World Cups.
While Portugal will face the in-form Spain in the round of 16, Croatia heads home. The scoreline will fade with time, but the image of Modrić walking off a World Cup pitch for probably the last time will not. He's proof that you may have fewer medals, goals, or assists, but if you have will power, talent, and discipline, you can take your country to a level that you can't imagine. Modrić will be the template for the next generation of Croatian players to follow and carry forward his legacy.
