Following the superb performance his side put on as they shocked Brazil in the quarter-final of the FIFA World Cup, Luka Modric has claimed he sees signs of Real Madrid in Croatia’s 2022 World Cup squad.
The legendary midfielder, who has won 160 caps for his country since his debut in 2006, remains a talismanic figure for his nation, who are on the verge of a second successive World Cup final.
Zlatko Dalic’s side continues to overachieve in major tournaments and have repeatedly shown their endurance, with their penalty victory over Brazil coming after a spot kick win against Japan in the Round of 16.
It follows their run to the World Cup final in Russia in 2018 which included three successive knockout wins after either penalties or extra time.
The 37-year-old has won five Champions League titles during his spell with Los Blancos, including last year when they undertook seemingly improbable comebacks in the knockout stages against PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City, before they defeated Liverpool in the final.
‘You could say we have the same DNA as Real Madrid because we always keep going until the end, and never give up,’ Modric told Spanish football TV show.
‘Everyone looks at the big countries, as we are a small country, nobody takes us into account, but we don’t have a problem with that, as others are the favourites, and we are in the shadows.
Of course we would like to finish (the matches) earlier, and not go to penalties, but we are willing to do everything we can to win.’
Croatia now face Argentina in the semi-final at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday night, with a place in the final against either France or Morocco up for grabs.
