Modric hints he could play at Euro 2024 after World Cup bronze

Luka Modric has decided to continue playing for Croatia after the veteran captain helped his side win bronze at the Qatar World Cup.

This could mean that Modric remains at the heart of the Croatian midfield at Euro 2024, when he will approach his 39th birthday.

Real Madrid playmaker Modric isn't looking that far ahead at the moment, but more importantly, he hasn't ruled out extending his career for his country up to this point.

The first step for Modric will be a tilt with his country in the Nations League final in the Netherlands next year, with Croatia joined in this four-team tournament by the hosts, plus Italy and Spain.

Delighted with another World Cup medal, after a silver medal four years ago in Russia, Modric told beIN SPORTS: "This medal is very important for us, for me, for Croatia as a national team and as a country.

"We confirm with this medal that Croatia plays an important role in the world of football, and we leave Qatar victorious.

“About my future, I don't know if I will be at the Euros in Germany. I have to take it step by step.

"I'm enjoying the national team, I feel happy, I still think I can play at a high level, and I want to continue at least until the Nations League, and then there will be more time to think about the euro.

"But now it's going step by step and continuing at least until the Nations League, and then we'll see."

Some feared that Modric might retire from international football after this World Cup, but coach Zlatko Dalic has expressed optimism that he will play until the 2024 European finals in Germany.

>

Now, after Saturday's 2-1 win over Morocco in the third-place game, Dalic's wish is about to come true.

Croatia have Wales, Armenia, Turkey and Latvia in their Euro 2024 qualifying group, and they would be heavily favored to get through and reach the final.

It remains to be seen whether Dejan Lovren continues to play, with the 33-year-old centre-back remaining with some thoughts to make about his own future.

Lovren said getting a World Cup bronze medal was "something special" and paid tribute to his long-time national team colleague Modric.

"I'm emotional because this is the last World Cup for us, and I've had so many good memories with him," Lovren said.

He said it was "an honour" to play alongside such a successful player, with Modric winning the Ballon d'Or after Croatia's run to the 2018 World Cup final.< /p>

Lovren even said that Modric had shown himself to be superior to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the later stages of the World Cups.

Messi might have something to say about that after Sunday's final, when Argentina take on France.

"He's better than them in those moments," Lovren said of Modric. "There are not too many players who won silver and bronze.

"He can be proud and he knows it. He's a special guy."

As for his own future, ahead of the next Euros, former Liverpool defender Lovren said: "I wish I could tell you what's going to happen in two years. I'm just enjoying this moment, and we'll see. ."