Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic said Wednesday that Luka Modric will decide for himself whether to continue his international career after the team’s World Cup semifinal loss to Argentina.
Dalic said he had not yet spoken with the 37-year-old about his availability for next year’s UEFA Nations League fixtures and Euro 2024 qualifiers.
“He was sad, the loss and the game were hard for him,” Dalic told a news conference. “That’s normal. Now the concentration is on the game for third place. We have to prepare. I sincerely hope Luka stays in the national team. I’ll talk to him later, but he will decide for himself.”
He added that it would be a “shame” if Modric decides to end his 25-year international career in Qatar.
Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat in Lusail means Croatia will play off the bronze medal against either France or Morocco at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Saturday.
“Congratulations to Argentina and our boys,” Dalic said. “We gave the maximum and the best of us. For 35 minutes we had total control, everything we wanted. The ball, control, possession, Messi away from the goal and the ball, and then a penalty interrupted everything and messed it up a lot.
“I talked about that part yesterday, that goal steered the game and took it in the wrong direction, then we conceded the second goal because of a couple of related errors. We are sad and disappointed, but we have to find the energy to come back and be ready for the next fight for the bronze.”
