The Last Dance of the 40-Year-Old Magician — Is It a Legendary Farewell or One Last Madness?

When it comes to Croatia, one name you can’t avoid is Modrić. He’s 40 years old and making his fifth appearance at the World Cup. Looking back at World Cup history, there are only a handful of players who can still fight as core figures at this age.

In April, Modrić suffered a facial fracture. He had to wear a mask to take part in training and matches. Although Dalić said he has recovered, the mask’s impact on vision and breathing is real. On top of that, there’s the high-temperature weather—Dallas’s AT&T Stadium may be indoors, but Texas’s June heat is like a steamer. Whether a 40-year-old body can hold up for a full 90 minutes is truly a huge question.

But I have to remind you of one thing: never underestimate the heart of a champion. Modrić is the kind of player who can change the course of a match with his passing. Even if he only gets 30 minutes in good form, he can make England’s back line nervous. Croatia’s tactics are clear: Modrić and Kovačić control the midfield, using short passes to slow down England’s attacking tempo. As long as the magician is on the pitch, Croatia will always have hope.

This will very likely be Modrić’s final World Cup match of his career—if Croatia lose, the World Cup journey for the magician ends right here. Ending his career with such a fateful matchup makes the drama off the charts. Will he bid farewell with a victory and in a dignified way, or will he be crushed and sent off by England’s youthful storm? The excitement of this match goes far beyond the result itself.

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