Luka Modrić, the venerated Croatian midfielder, may have bid farewell to major international competitions following Croatia's 1-1 draw with Italy in their final Euro 2024 Group B match. Modrić experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in the match, from missing a penalty to scoring a spectacular goal before seeing his team concede a late equalizer.
Luka Modrić, the enigmatic Croatian midfielder, may have played his final match in a major international competition on Sunday night. Croatia's 1-1 draw with Italy in their final Euro 2024 Group B match marked a potential farewell for the legendary 38-year-old.
Luka Modrić's Emotional Farewell: A Legend's Last Hurrah in International Competition
Modrić's night began with a golden opportunity to give Croatia a 1-0 lead when he was awarded a penalty in the 54th minute. However, his shot towards the bottom right corner was parried away by Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Italy keeper who continued his stellar Euro 2024 performance.
The missed penalty was a cruel blow for Modrić and Croatia, who needed a win to secure a place in the knockout stage. However, the "beautiful game" often presents beautiful chances to rebound from mistakes, and Modrić's came just a minute later. Croatia regained possession and played the ball back into the box for an attempt on goal. Donnarumma stopped that shot too, but Modrić was in prime position for the deflected ball and rifled a tough shot into the upper left corner of the net.
Modrić's goal caused a seismic eruption in Leipzig Stadium among the Croatian faithful, who lavished him with immense praise when he was substituted off the pitch in the 80th minute. But in the final minute of stoppage time, it was Italy who clamored in celebration following the first international goal of Mattia Zaccagni's career.
The 1-1 final marked potentially the last international appearance for Modrić, who became the oldest player (38 years, 289 days) to score a goal in Euro history. Croatia would have moved into second place in Group B and automatic qualification in the knockout stage with a win, but thanks to Zaccagni's goal, Italy secured that spot instead. Croatia now faces an uphill battle to be one of the four third-place teams with a spot in the knockouts.
Whether or not this was Modrić's final international appearance, the legendary midfielder has had a profound impact on the game. He has recorded 178 appearances for Croatia since 2006, scoring 26 goals. He led the squad to a second-place finish at the 2018 World Cup and in the 2023 UEFA Nations League, as well as a third-place in the 2022 World Cup.
Former Leicester City captain Wes Morgan, who never had the chance to play against Modrić, was adamant that he'd love to see the Croatian remain present in the sport. "In terms of his future, who knows what happens next?" Morgan said. "Internationally, probably could be over but we'd love to see him in some type of capacity in the game still, whether it be on the pitch or off the pitch."
Modrić's legacy is secure, regardless of whether he continues his international career. He is one of the greatest midfielders of his generation and one of the most successful Croatian players of all time. His impact on the game will continue to be felt for years to come.
