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Luka Modric is widely considered to be one of the very best players of his generation, though, the midfield maestro arrived at Real Madrid ten years against a backdrop of scepticism. The Croatian’s capture from Tottenham raised eyebrows in some circles at the Santiago Bernabeu and enthusiasm about his arrival was hard to find.
On the other hand, Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho knew exactly who he was bringing in – a tireless worker with an ability to mesh with any system of play or formation the Portuguese coach could imagine. Modric soon became good enough to win the prestigious Ballon ‘Or right in front of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Now, at the age of 37, he still leads Real Madrid’s midfield and will participate in yet another World Cup. After losing in the World Cup Finals four years ago, many thought that was going to be the last time that we saw Modric on the world’s biggest stage. But, here we are again, he is still one of the best players in the world at his position, and soon he will lead another talented Croatian team at the World Cup.
‘I strongly believe that Luka will be at the EUROs two years from now. His mentality, physical preparation, his mindset will take him there for yet another great opportunity,’ said Zlatko Dalic, Croatia’s national team manager.
Who could replace Modric?
Croatia keeps developing talented players, mostly through the Dinamo Zagreb youth system which has become one of the best in the world. Those in the know have picked out Arsenal target Lovro Majer as Luka’s natural replacement. Majer, yet another product of Dinamo’s youth program, is playing terrific football in Ligue 1 for Rennes, and recently signed a new deal that is supposed to keep him there until 2027. Of course, many doubt that will happen, as the Premier League leaders Arsenal are circling with an estimated bid in the range of £60m.
Majer’s new deal, and once again ever-improving form for Rennes, could soon put his price tag even higher. He will turn 25 years old in January and is entering the prime years of his career. Majer is already part of Croatia’s national team fold, but he is yet to get earn senior status under manager Zlatko Dalic. Croatia’s midfield is filled with strong players like Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic and Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic, and Majer has serious competition to overcome.
Can Croatia repeat its Russian adventure?
It seems, on paper at least, that Croatia are even stronger today following the development of some talented younger players. Josko Gvardiol is one of them. He is only 20 years old but already one of the best central defenders in European football, more recently he was linked with a big-money move to Chelsea. Croatia’s improvement that led them to the Final Four of the Nations League tournament could be seen in their defensive department. Alongside Gvardiol, Josip Sutalo, Borna Sosa, and Martin Erlic have emerged as new names to be reckoned with in their backline.
Croatia’s World Cup group includes Belgium, Morocco, and Canada, and some would say that the Croats will again be tasked with breaking barriers to ensure that the next generation has something to hold on to.
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