DOHA – Luka Modric revealed that he will extend his international career into 2023 in an attempt to win the Nations League, after leading Croatia to the bronze medal at the World Cup on Saturday.

The 37-year-old midfielder won his 162nd cap in the 2-1 victory 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 next June in the four-team Finals also featuring the 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 3-0 by a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals but Modric insisted that his team have cemented a place among the sport’s heavyweights.

“We achieved something major for Croatian football. We wanted the gold, we were close,” the Real Madrid maestro 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.”

Croatia memorably beat Brazil in the quarter-finals but, for coach Zlatko Dalic, finishing third was the highlight of their tournament.

“It was a difficult, great match. I want to extend my congratulations to Morocco, they put up a great fight until the last minute, despite the fatigue,” said Dalic, who paid tribute to former Serbia coach Sinisa Mihajlovic who died on Friday.

“They can be proud, they remind me of us four years ago. We’re among the best teams in the world.”

Croatia can now look forward to the future with confidence.

“Yes, this is the last World Cup for some of my players today due to their age. But we have young players in the team and it is great for Croatia,” Dalic added, referring not only to Man of the Match Josko Gvardiol, but also Lovro Majer and Borna Sosa.

“Croatia has nothing to fear. Is it the end of an era for a generation? Well, we still have the Nations League and the Euro qualifiers. All I know is that Croatia have a bright future.”

There are positive signs too for African football, after Morocco’s fairy-tale run. Their coach Walid Regragui believes a team from the continent will win the World Cup in the next “15 to 20 years”.

The next World Cup in 2026, held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be expanded to 48 teams and Africa will have at least nine slots – up from five at present.

“With nine participants, we’re going to learn. In 15, 20 years, I’m sure an African team will win the World Cup because we’d have learnt,” said Regragui.

“We have a stage to get past. We need to build on that, with hard work and desire. This DNA is not just being built for Morocco, but for the continent.”

He also urged his players to back up their historic display in 2023.

“I said to the players in the changing room, if you want to go down in history then you’re going to have to win the Africa Cup of Nations,” said Regragui. “We need to dominate our continent.”

Morocco have been crowned African champions just once, in 1976, but their performances at the World Cup demonstrated they are a team on the rise under Regragui, who was appointed only in August.

“We’ve gone further than expected but it’s not enough. It needs to set an example for the future. I hope that everybody (in Africa) will learn from the experience. We’ve got a great future ahead of us and we’ll keep moving forward.” AFP, REUTERS