Luka Modric to Stay Available for Croatia in Nations League

Why Modric still matters

Even at this stage of his career, Modric remains the kind of player who can settle a game simply by controlling its speed.

• Croatia still trust him to bring calm under pressure.
• His presence gives younger midfielders a reference point.
• His leadership often shapes the team’s personality in tight matches.

There has been a broader sense that Croatia are managing a transition, but keeping Modric involved appears to buy time as that next core develops.

A big test in the Nations League

The reported schedule makes this more than a symbolic return.

• A trip to the Czech Republic looks like an immediate competitive check.
• Home and away-style pressure against England and Spain would demand experience.
• Those are the sort of fixtures where Modric’s game management can still be decisive.

Against elite opponents, Croatia do not just need legs; they need clarity. That has long been Modric’s greatest gift.

Bilic’s balancing act

If Bilic is indeed leading this next phase, he appears to have landed an early win by keeping his captain in the picture. The challenge now is managing Modric wisely rather than asking him to carry everything.

The next storyline is obvious: whether Modric merely remains available, or still becomes central once Croatia face the Czech Republic, England and Spain in what could be a defining stretch of their Nations League campaign.