Luka Modrić has in all likelihood played his final World Cup match following Croatia’s elimination at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, extended his world record for international appearances at the same tournament.

According to GoogleNewsNL, the 40-year-old Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić departed the 2026 World Cup after Croatia suffered a defeat that ended the nation’s participation in the tournament. The match represented Modrić’s fifth appearance at a World Cup finals, placing him among a small group of players to have achieved that milestone.

In a separate development at the same tournament, Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41, continued his international career at the highest level. According to GoogleNewsNL, Ronaldo further extended his own world record for the most official international appearances by a field player during the course of the competition.

The parties could not be reached for comment.

Both players are widely regarded as among the most decorated footballers of their generation. Modrić was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 2018 and captained Croatia to the World Cup final that year. Ronaldo has held the record for most international caps for a number of years. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.