Modrić Celebrates 200th Cap for Croatia with a Victory

Following his 200th cap for the Croatian national team and a 1-0 victory over Panama at the World Cup in Toronto, Luka Modrić shared his emotions. The captain remained on the field until the 81st minute, receiving a standing ovation from 43,000 spectators.

“Thank God, we secured three incredibly important points. My previous milestone, my 100th match, wasn't particularly happy (a draw against Finland in 2017 World Cup qualifiers, the last match before Dalić's arrival, editor's note), but this one is. Reaching 200 matches in the most beautiful jersey is something incredible; I am proud of it,” Modrić stated.

He also commented on the team's performance: “It felt like we were playing under pressure; we weren't relaxed. We knew how important the match was, and that was palpable. As time went on, we had some good moments. This victory will boost our confidence, helping us to improve further. I hope this match changes things.”

After the final whistle, his teammates surprised him with special jerseys and tossed him in the air to celebrate the milestone.

“It's something incredible; reaching 200 matches in the most cherished jersey makes me extremely proud and happy. I never even dreamed I would reach this number. We keep moving forward. I thank the fans for their wonderful support, everyone for their congratulations, and all those who have been with me throughout these 200 matches. They certainly helped me – from coaches and teammates, both current and former, to everyone who is part of life in the national team. Thank you all,” Luka concluded.