Modric and Croatia continue to defy the odds

Luka Modric, Croatia's most decorated footballer, continues to defy expectations. At 40, he will captain his country in their 2026 World Cup opener against England on Wednesday. Modric, who made his debut in 2006 and now has 198 caps, is the embodiment of a nation that repeatedly overachieves on the global stage.

Modric's childhood was shaped by war. His grandfather was killed by Serbian forces when he was six, and his family became refugees. This background forged a resilient character. Romeo Jozak, his former youth coach and a key figure in Croatian talent development, recalls how the war instilled pride and drive in players.

Jozak, now sporting director at Sharjah FC, also remembers a young Modric obsessed with his hair. "I was freaking out," Jozak laughs. "Of course, I didn't know he was going to become the Luka Modric." Jozak made him cut his hair, a small clash that later turned into mutual respect.

Croatia's footballing success is no accident. As academy director at Dinamo Zagreb and later technical director of the Croatian Football Federation, Jozak built a system focused on ball work and intense internal competition. "You cannot afford to lose any ball because the other guy is right there stepping in," he explains. This pipeline produced talents like Mateo Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol, and Luka Vuskovic.

Gvardiol, now a Manchester City defender, played as a midfielder or number 10 in Dinamo's youth setup. "That's why he's got this left foot," Jozak says. "He was playing midfield, growing in the density of internal quality."

Under coach Zlatko Dalic since 2017, Croatia has maintained a strong team spirit. "They're very passionate, very patriotic, very disciplined," Jozak says. "It's always with pride and a privilege."

With Modric leading the way, Croatia once again aims to challenge the favorites and prove that a small nation can compete with the best.