Luka Modric told to forget about retiring as Croatia defy the odds at World Cup

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has told Luka Modric to forget about international retirement.

Modric celebrated his 37th birthday in September but remains the driving force of a football-mad nation that continues to punch above its weight. Now, on the eve of Croatia’s meeting with Japan for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals, Dalic has insisted that the Real Madrid playmaker’s 159th international cap will not be his last - even if the 2018 finalists suffer a shock defeat.

Dalic said: “This will not be Luka’s last tournament. He will continue to play for Croatia, I am absolutely certain of that. Luka continues to work hard and he continues to strive for self-improvement. We will need him for some time more in the future.”

Former Tottenham favourite Modric won the Ballon d’Or four years ago after Croatia knocked out England in the semi-finals in Russia only to lose to France. He has continued to be a huge influence in Madrid and won his fifth Champions League crown with the Spanish giants in May. Dalic and his squad were still welcomed home as heroes in Zagreb.

And while they are expected to beat a Japanese team that has shocked Germany and Spain on their march into the last 16, their coach insists they are once again underdogs at the tournament. Dalic said: “The results we have produced at the World Cup and in European Championships over the last few years are unrivalled for a country of our size.

“We have a population of just four million people. That makes us the smallest country left in the last 16. The odds are always against us - but we take one step at a time.

“I believe this team has given great success to our people - and when you look at it this really is a miracle. We have become a force in world football because we are a nation who always feels like we have to prove ourselves.

“Our ability to reach the last stages really is remarkable. Our aim is to make our people happy. These results provide great joy for our country.”

Dalic has a full squad to choose from. Croatia came second in group F, beating Canada 4-1 between goalless draws with Morocco and Belgium.

Dalic promised: “We will give Japan the respect they deserve because in many ways they are a team like us. Japan have also come to this World Cup with the desire to show everyone what they are capable of achieving.

“We are lucky that we have had a generation of great players who have become a reflection of our never-ending effort to show who we are. Croatians are a feisty bunch. If you compare us to nations of a similar size, then in football we are number one.”