Modric dazzles at 40: standing ovation as Croatia beat Montenegro | OneFootball

The Croatian legend Luka Modric continues to rewrite football history. On the eve of his fortieth birthday, the Milan midfielder delivered an outstanding performance, leading Croatia to a resounding 4-0 victory over Montenegro in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Milan, Modric dazzles at 40: standing ovation in Zagreb after the win over Montenegro

A special night at Maksimir

Lined up alongside Petar Sucic, Inter’s emerging talent, Modric dictated the tempo of the match with his usual mastery. When, in the 81st minute, head coach Zlatko Dalic decided to substitute him with Bologna’s Nikola Moro, the entire “Maksimir” stadium in Zagreb rose to its feet to give him a memorable ovation.

Thanks to this victory, Croatia has caught up with the Czech Republic at the top of the group, with a game still to be played. This result keeps the red-and-white national team’s hopes alive for qualifying for the World Cup to be held in the United States.

Modric’s words about Sucic

Interviewed by Sportmediaset, Modric expressed words of admiration for his young teammate: “He’s a very strong player and an extraordinary guy. We had already played together and he had shown his qualities. It’s no coincidence that he signed for a top club like Inter. I’m sure you’ll get to know him better soon and see all his talent. He can still improve a lot. I enjoy sharing the pitch with him, even though soon we’ll be rivals in the derby: we’ll see how he treats me,” he said with a smile. “Let’s hope he respects me and doesn’t go overboard with the intensity, but for now I’m enjoying every minute with him.”

190 appearances and ageless leadership

With the match against Montenegro, Modric reached the extraordinary milestone of 190 international caps. Head coach Zlatko Dalic did not hide his admiration: “He has shown once again that the more the years go by, the better he gets. His way of playing is unique, rare in modern football. He leads the team with ambition and determination. He doesn’t want to stop: our goal is to qualify for the World Cup in the United States and he is fundamental to this mission.”

A treasure of world football

Modric turns 40 today, but time seems to have no effect on his talent. His vision of the game, his ability to handle decisive moments, and the experience gained over more than two decades of his career still make him an indispensable asset for both club and country. Massimiliano Allegri, Milan’s coach, can count on him, even if not for all 90 minutes, as a technical and charismatic point of reference.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.