Luka Modric called up by Croatia at 41: Bilic includes him in Nations League squad

Croatia will keep counting on Luka Modric. Slaven Bilic, back on the national team bench, included the Milan midfielder on Monday in his 26-man squad for the four Nations League fixtures taking place between late September and early October. The decision confirms what the Croatian Football Federation had already announced and extends the international career of a player who turns 41 this Wednesday and has earned 202 caps.

• Slaven Bilic named Luka Modric in Croatia's squad for four Nations League matches.
• The Milan midfielder turns 41 this Wednesday and has 202 international appearances.
• Bilic spoke with Modric for two or three hours before finalising the squad.
• Croatia face Czech Republic, Spain and England in a twelve-day period.
• The head coach will manage the captain's minutes instead of playing him in all four games.

Bilic begins his second spell with Modric as the main reference

Slaven Bilic is starting his second stint in charge of Croatia, having previously led the team between 2006 and 2012. He returns to a dressing room where Modric remains a central figure, both for his influence on the pitch and his standing among the squad. The coach made that clear when announcing the list.

He is very important for us on and off the pitch. Modric was Milan's best player against Juventus. And I did not persuade him of anything, he is committed to Croatia and his national team and it is beneficial for everyone.

Bilic revealed that he held a two-to-three-hour conversation with the captain before confirming the call-up. Those talks underlined Modric's commitment to the national team and the coaching staff's plan to adapt his involvement to the demands of a particularly congested schedule.

Four Croatia matches in twelve days: how Modric will be managed

The head coach made it clear that the Milan player will not necessarily feature in all four matches packed into twelve days. The plan is to follow a rhythm similar to the one he maintains at club level, where he continues to play regularly and perform well. That approach aims to protect a footballer approaching 41 without giving up his influence on the team.

Croatia open this international window on September 26 in Prague against the Czech Republic. Three days later they visit Spain, and in October they host England on the 3rd and Spain again on the 6th. It is a demanding stretch for which Bilic has relied on a core of experienced players while also opening the door to new names.

Livakovic included despite limited minutes at Barcelona

Dominik Livakovic is in the squad despite his situation at Barcelona, where he has not yet played regularly. Bilic admitted some concern about the goalkeeper's lack of game time, but refused to demand explanations and backed him to earn minutes at the Spanish club.

He has nothing to justify. No Croatian goalkeeper has ever gone to such a big club.

What Croatia are playing for in the Nations League

Croatia enter this window aiming to maintain their status among Europe's leading national teams. They finished as Nations League runners-up in 2023, losing the final to Spain, the same opponent they will face twice in this phase. Those head-to-head meetings will go a long way toward deciding whether Croatia advance in the competition.

Modric has been central to Croatia's greatest recent achievements: second place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, third at Qatar 2022 and that Nations League final defeat against Spain. His international continuity keeps alive a generation Bilic wants to blend with fresh talent.

Croatia's goal under Bilic: winning the European Championship

Asked about his targets for this new era, Bilic was direct: the aim is to win the European Championship. The coach said the results achieved by his predecessor, Zlatko Dalic, are both a motivation and a reference point for a project he approaches with optimism.

Modric's continuity fits into that short and medium-term plan. Even though his age suggests a gradual transition, his performances at Milan and his commitment to the national team convinced Bilic there is still room for him among the 26 players selected.