The best description came from his midfield partner Mateo Kovačić: "Luka is a miracle." Luka is Modrić, who turned 41 on September 9.
On Saturday evening in Prague, two minutes into the second half of the Nations League match between the Czech Republic and Croatia, he scored to temporarily put his side 1–0 ahead. It was his 30th goal for the national team in 203 appearances, making him the oldest goalscorer ever for Croatia.
Modrić is endless. When coach Bilić called him back to the bench after 76 minutes, the 20,000 spectators at the Fortuna Arena gave him a standing ovation. It is the same kind of reception Modrić has been receiving in Italy for months, because the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner is not a divisive player. He is part of football’s heritage, writes the daily Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport in this morning's print edition.
And despite the physical difficulties he showed in the opening matches of the season, he remains an irreplaceable player. Amorim has understood that too: he will clearly have to manage him carefully, but he cannot do without his tactical intelligence.
As you can see in the table alongside, Modrić is in contention to enter the all-time top ten among the oldest goalscorers at international level: one goal in 2027 would be enough.
Another Milan record is within Modric’s reach
If, on the other hand, he were to score for Milan immediately after the international break, he would become the second-oldest goalscorer in Milan’s history. He is currently third (having scored at the age of 40 years, 5 months and 4 days on February 13 away at Pisa) behind Costacurta (41 years and 25 days) and, above all, Ibrahimović.
The Swede holds first place at 41 years, 5 months and 15 days: the final goal of his extraordinary career came with Milan, on March 18, 2023 in Udine.
