DOHA: Luka Modric led Croatia to the bronze medal at the World Cup on Saturday and revealed he will extend his international career into 2023 in an attempt to win the Nations League.
The 37-year-old won his 162nd cap in the 2-1 win over Morocco, four years after helping his country to the World Cup runners-up spot behind France.
Croatia will now attempt to win the Nations League title next June in the four-team finals also featuring Netherlands, Italy and Spain.
“That’s the plan,” said Modric when asked if he intends to keep playing international football.
“It would be a nonsense not to play in the Nations League, and then we’ll see how to proceed. I definitely want to stay for the Nations League.”
Croatia were defeated by a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina in the World Cup semifinals but Modric insisted that his team have cemented a place among the heavyweights of the sport.
“We achieved something major for the Croatian football. We wanted the gold, we were close,” he told broadcaster HRT.
“In the end, we return to Croatia as winners. Croatia is not a miracle that appears every 20 years. We proved that we are constant, that we cannot be seen as dark horses but as a football power.”
Modric, 37, sets sights on Nations League title for Croatia
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Modric, 37, sets sights on Nations League title for Croatia
- The 37-year-old won his 162nd cap in the 2-1 win over Morocco
- Croatia will now attempt to win the Nations League title next June
Bissouma included in Mali’s Cup of Nations squad
- Coach Tom Saintfiet named him in a 28-man selection for the tournament in Morocco
- Mali open their Group A campaign against Zambia in Casablanca
BAMAKO: Long-term absentee Yves Bissouma was included in Mali’s squad for their Africa Cup of Nations finals despite the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder not having played for his club this season.
Coach Tom Saintfiet named him in a 28-man selection for the tournament in Morocco, where Mali play their first game on December 22.
Bissouma, 29, has yet to feature for Tottenham since being dropped before the Super Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain in August and two months later had ankle surgery after suffering an injury playing in a World Cup qualifier.
Mali open their Group A campaign against Zambia in Casablanca and then take on hosts Morocco and Comoros.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra (Young Africans), Ismael Diawara (Sirius), Mamadou Sawassa (Laval)
Defenders: Ousmane Camara (Angers), Woyo Coulibaly (Sassuolo), Amadou Dante (Arouca), Abdoulaye Diaby (Grasshoppers), Fode Doucoure (Le Havre), Mamadou Fofana (New England Revolution), Nathan Gassama (Baltika), Sikou Niakate (Sporting Braga), Hamari Traoré (Paris FC)
Midfielders: Yves Bissouma (Tottenham Hotspur), Mohamed Camara (Al Sadd), Lassana Coulibaly (Lecce), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly), Mahamadou Doumbia (Al Ittihad), Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig), Mamadou Sangaré (Racing Lens), Ibrahima Sissoko (VfL Bochum)
Forwards: Mamadou Camara (Laval), Gaoussou Diakité (Lausanne Sports), Gaoussou Diarra (Feyenoord Rotterdam), Nene Dorgeles (Fenerbahçe), Kamory Doumbia (Stade Brestois), Mamadou Doumbia (Watford), Lassine Sinayoko (Auxerre, France), Moussa El Bilal Toure (Besiktas, Turkiye).
