Croatia captain Luka Modric has dismissed retirement rumors ahead of his team's FIFA World Cup campaign opener against England on Thursday in Texas, asserting that the squad remains highly focused and unafraid of their opponents.
The 40-year-old AC Milan midfielder is leading a transitioning Croatian side that has established a base at Hotel AKA in Alexandria, Virginia, where local fans have been gathering outside to catch a glimpse of the players.
Modric, who previously won six UEFA Champions League trophies with Real Madrid, is preparing for a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semifinal against a star-studded English lineup featuring players like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.
As reported by Goal.
com, Modric emphasized his immediate goals for the tournament rather than contemplating the end of his international career.
"I am focused exclusively on the tournament because I want to help the team in the best possible way," said Modric.
The veteran midfielder is currently just two matches away from achieving his 200th international appearance for his country.
"We respect everyone, but we are not afraid of anyone. Now it is up to us to prove it on the pitch.
We want to make all Croatians proud," Modric stated.
Croatia previously finished as runners-up in the 2018 tournament and secured a bronze medal during the 2022 edition in Qatar.
"The greatest strength of Croatia in recent editions of the World Cup has always been unity, and it must be like that this time as well.
We are not here to participate, to act as an extra. When the group is compact, we can compete with anyone," Modric stated.
The current roster features a blend of veteran presence and new talent as the national team undergoes a significant generational shift.
"We, more experienced players, must lend a hand to the young people, help them grow and transmit experience, quality, and character to them.
Young people must feel free to show their qualities, and we must support them.
A generational change is underway, but we want to continue winning and doing well as happened in the last two editions of the World Cup," Modric said.
While the team prepares for the pitch, international supporters in Virginia have gathered outside the team's training base to show their dedication to the squad.
"I fell in love with soccer since I was 8. Started playing with my dad, he took me out the field, and then I started loving it.
I love the game," fan Jim Hinojosa told 7News.
Hinojosa brought multiple jerseys to the hotel location in hopes of getting an autograph from the Croatian captain.
"It's a dream. The experience is just once.
We don't know when they're gonna come back," Hinojosa said.
Younger fans also stood behind security barricades in Alexandria holding memorabilia for the players to sign.
"I have a Luka Modric jersey and a rookie card of him from Croatia, so that's what I would want him to sign," fan Alex Bacak told 7News.
