Luka Modrić's World Cup journey ends

Luka Modrić's legendary World Cup journey came to a close during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Croatia exiting the tournament following a hard-fought Round of 32 defeat against Portugal in Toronto, Canada.

At 40 years old, this tournament marked the final chapter on the global stage for the Croatian icon. Widely considered one of the greatest midfielders in football history, Modrić's World Cup legacy will forever be defined by his heroic performances. He captained a golden generation of Croatian players, miraculously leading a nation of four million to unprecedented heights.

Modrić won the Golden Ball as he led Croatia to their first-ever World Cup Final, cementing his status as a modern great.

He pulled the strings in the midfield once again to guide the team to a phenomenal third-place finish and a bronze medal.

Though the 2026 campaign ended with heartbreak rather than another deep tournament run, the midfield maestro bowed out leaving behind an indelible mark on the sport. His final dance in the tournament saw him facing off against longtime Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in a highly symbolic and emotional match. The Balkan star bowed out as a legend, despite Croatia’s elimination at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Even in what appears to be his final World Cup appearance, Modrić once again orchestrated Croatia’s play with his trademark passing and control of tempo, leading his side until the final whistle.

His World Cup legacy spans five editions (2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026), captaining Croatia to the 2018 final and winning the tournament’s Golden Ball. In 2022, he was also instrumental in Croatia’s third-place finish after eliminating Neymar’s Brazil, cementing his status as one of the most influential midfielders in modern World Cup history.

After the final whistle, the most iconic moment came with the embrace between Modrić and Ronaldo — a reflection of more than a decade of rivalry and mutual respect after sharing a dressing room at Real Madrid between 2012 and 2018, where they won multiple UEFA Champions League titles.

Modrić leaves the World Cup stage having made 23 appearances, tied with Paolo Maldini among the players with the most World Cup matches in history, while Ronaldo continues to extend his legacy as one of the tournament’s all-time top scorers and the first player to score in five different editions.

Their farewell moment symbolised the closing chapter of a golden era in international football.