India, May 31 -- At 40, most World Cup players are valued for what they bring off the pitch. Luka Modric is an exception. He is still defined by what he does on it.

Modric arrives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the heartbeat of his national team, carrying the weight of an entire footballing era while continuing to defy expectations on the biggest stage.

It will be his fifth World Cup appearance and almost certainly his last. For nearly two decades, he has been the face of Croatian football. Since making his international debut in 2006, Modric has evolved from a technically gifted midfielder into one of the most respected players of his generation. His vision, composure and ability to dictate the rhythm of a match have remained the hallma...