LUSAIL, Qatar — Luka Modric could play on until the next European Championships, said Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic following their World Cup exit to Argentina.
Croatia were beaten 3-0 at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday, but Dalic suggested afterwards that Saturday’s third-place playoff against either France or Morocco will not be Modric’s final international appearance and that the 37-year-old could continue until Euro 2024 in Germany.
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“Perhaps this is the end of the generation of the World Cups, a couple have reached an age and have to see what happens in 2026,” Dalic said. “We have had a great team and this generation will finish off their career at Euro 2024. We have the Nations League and an excellent generation who reached two semifinals.”
Ahead of the Euros, Croatia have the Nations League finals to contest in June 2023 and despite their World Cup disappointment, Dalic said he plans to stay on as coach.
“I will continue,” he said. “My contract is until the 2024 European Championships and in six months we have the Nations League finals. My plan is to take Croatia to Euro 2024.”
