Modric reaches historic 200 int’l caps milestone

Croatian midfielder Luka Modric has etched his name into football history by becoming only the fourth male player ever to reach 200 international caps for his country on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old captain achieved the milestone during Croatia’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L clash against Panama, marking yet another remarkable chapter in a career defined by longevity, consistency and elite-level performance.

Modric now joins an exclusive group alongside Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa.

Despite his age, Modric remains a central figure in Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia side, continuing to dictate play from midfield with the same intelligence and technical brilliance that has defined his career for nearly two decades.

His journey with the national team began in 2006, and since then he has represented Croatia at multiple European Championships and World Cups, including the unforgettable run to the 2018 World Cup final in Russia, where he won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

The landmark appearance was met with celebration from teammates and coaching staff, underlining his status as one of the most respected figures in international football.