Luka Modric has already done enough at the World Cup to upstage some top names in contemporary football, but when he steps into the Fisht Stadium by the Black Sea on Saturday (July 7) against hosts Russia, he will have a chance to become part of Croatia’s folklore.
Ever since a talented Croatian side reached the 1998 World Cup semi-finals in their second major tournament as an independent nation, subsequent generations have been under pressure from the country’s fans and media to emulate the feat. The “class of 1998” lost to then hosts France in the semi-finals, but beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the third-placed play-off, inspiring many in the Balkan nation, including a then 12-year-old Modric.
The Croatia captain, widely respected by his fellow players for being a complete team man, took the penalty but his weak shot was blocked by Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to send the match into a penalty shoot-out. Modric returned to the spot about 15 minutes later and got the better of Schmeichel with Croatia’s third attempt as his side won 3-2 to keep his dream alive of surpassing the Croatian “class of 1998”.
“Since 2008, we have never gone beyond this first knockout game and it was very important for us to get that monkey off our back,” Modric told Fifa’s website. I was calm and focused. I embraced the responsibility as a captain and I had to do it. As a result, I was very emotional after the game. I wanted this Croatia to confirm their talent, to take that step further. The game was not an enjoyable one, but our goal was achieved.”
The hard-fought win over the Danes put Croatia one win away from their best-ever showing in 1998 and if they are able to reproduce their free-flowing football from the group stage on Saturday, Russia will find it tough to stop them. Croatia great Davor Suker came closest to winning the Golden Ball in 1998, which is awarded to the best player of the World Cup, when the striker finished second behind Brazil’s Ronaldo.
Modric will be a strong contender to surpass Suker but he is waiting for an even better “fairy tale”.”To be at this World Cup is a great privilege,” he said. “Playing for my team is a great honour and a pleasure, but to win the World Cup with Croatia is almost unthinkable, like the most beautiful fairy tale! It would be incredible to lift the trophy as captain.”