Luka Modric is preparing for another historic clash against England, a team that has haunted and tormented him for nearly two decades. The Croatian midfielder, now 40 years old, will once again face the English at the 2026 World Cup in Dallas, in what could be his final major international appearance before retirement. The stage is set for a new chapter in Modric’s personal saga against the Three Lions, after two decades of being a nightmare for generations of English players and fans.
It all began on October 11, 2006, in a legendary qualifying match for the European Championship in Zagreb, which was marked not only by the English disaster but also by an unusual moment: as Gary Neville passed the ball back to Paul Robinson, it took a treacherous bounce and ended up in the back of the net, with an image of Borat appearing on the advertising boards at Maksimir Stadium. Modric, then a young 21-year-old, was already earning his 11th cap and played the full 90 minutes in the 2-0 victory. At that time, Tony Blair was still in Downing Street, Arsenal had just moved to the Emirates, and Pep Guardiola was hanging up his boots after a stint in Mexico.
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This moment marked the beginning of a golden era for Croatia, with Modric becoming, over the years, the true symbol of the national team. One cannot speak of a Modric generation, as his teammates have changed, but he has always remained the pillar, the leader, and the face of a team that elevated the name of a small country to the elite of world football. England has often been a favored opponent. Since 2006, Croatia and England have faced each other eight more times, with Modric missing only one of those encounters due to injury – precisely the heavy 5-1 defeat in 2009. However, two of those matches have become legendary.
One year after the Borat episode in Wembley, Croatia – already qualified for the European Championship and with nothing to lose – defeated England, who only needed a draw. The victory, led by Slaven Bilic, became forever known for the “wally with a brolly” incident, with English manager Steve McClaren and his famous umbrella symbolizing the humiliation. Modric, who had just signed with Tottenham at the time, was not yet the mentally indestructible player he would later become, but this victory provided Croatia with a crucial psychological boost.
The other decisive moment came at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when Croatia eliminated England in the semi-finals, turning the result around in extra time and securing their first-ever place in the final. Modric, already a European champion with Real Madrid and a Ballon d’Or winner, was the undisputed leader of a team forged in resilience, increasingly shaped by his never-give-up mentality.
On the eve of their reunion in Dallas, Modric has accumulated 199 international caps and is about to reach the symbolic milestone of 200 games for Croatia. However, the Croatian national team appears older and less exuberant, adopting a more defensive and pragmatic stance, as was evident in the recent friendly against Belgium. Modric, nearing 41 years old, remains the brain of the team but does not hide the fact that this could be his last major international tournament.
Despite his age, no one dares to bet against Modric when the opponent is England. “History shows that we are capable of surprising when least expected,” said the midfielder before the match, emphasizing the confidence the team has in itself. When asked about the impact of his encounters with the English national team, Modric commented: “They are always special matches. England has great players, but we also have our weapons.”
The coming days will be decisive not only for the fate of both teams but also for the legacy of one of the greatest figures in European football of the 21st century. A final dance in Dallas could cement Modric’s legendary status among Croatian fans and, who knows, plunge England into a new nightmare. The football world will be watching this epic battle: will Luka Modric write another golden chapter in his career and once again thwart the English dream? Everything indicates that as long as there is a Modric on the field, England can never take anything for granted.
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