Luka Modric, Croatia’s famed captain, was substituted during the Group L match against England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup held on June 17, 2026. At 40 years old and nearing his 41st birthday, Modric made way for Mateo Kovacic in the 58th minute of the game.
Modric's legacy includes a remarkable moment when he led Croatia to victory over England in the 2018 World Cup semifinals, paving their way to the final. However, whispers about Modric’s potential retirement following the 2026 tournament are circulating within the football community. Additionally, there is talk of him possibly taking on a non-playing role at Real Madrid after his current season with AC Milan.
When considering the broader context of the tournament, it is notable that no cryptocurrency or digital asset-related topics have been mentioned in relation to Modric or his career decisions. This is particularly striking when compared to the 2022 World Cup, which saw a significant presence of crypto advertising that lost its appeal after market declines.