PREVIEW-Soccer-Modric primed for swansong as Croatia's beating heart
Published on: June 2, 2026, 3:34 p.m. | Source: Devdiscourse
The 40-year-old midfield maestro underwent cheekbone surgery in April but is expected to recover in time to anchor the midfield in what will probably be his fifth and final World Cup. With Modric still the team's heartbeat, the tournament will test Croatia's ability to balance continuity with transition as the Balkan nation continues to defy expectations despite a population of just around 3.8 million.
