'Like Son Heung-min's heroic effort that moved the entire nation,' 41-year-old Modric dons a face mask for his World Cup 'last dance'

*This content was translated by AI.

Croatian national team legend and 2018 Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric (41, AC Milan) will don a face mask for his World Cup 'last dance.'

Croatian media Sportske Novosti reported on the 28th (Korean time) that "Modric will be unable to play in any remaining matches for his club this season due to a cheekbone fracture," but added that "he is expected to participate in the World Cup while wearing a facial protection mask."

Modric collapsed after a strong impact to his left cheekbone during an aerial duel against Juventus in the 34th round of the 2025-2026 Italian Serie A match held at Italy's Stadio Giuseppe Meazza the previous day. A detailed hospital examination confirmed a diagnosis of a cheekbone fracture.

Consequently, Modric underwent surgery just before the World Cup. AC Milan issued a statement saying, "Modric, who suffered multiple fractures in his left cheekbone and underwent surgery, fortunately had a successful operation. We wish him a speedy recovery ahead of the World Cup."

As Modric must focus on recovery for the time being, he will inevitably miss the remaining four matches of the season, including the match against Cagliari on the 25th of next month. He is out for the season. However, local forecasts suggest that this injury will not prevent Modric from participating in his final World Cup challenge; instead, he is expected to play even while wearing a facial protection mask.

Naturally, Son Heung-min's (34, LAFC) 'mask heroic effort' from the 2022 Qatar World Cup inevitably comes to mind.

At the time, while playing for Tottenham, Son Heung-min suffered an orbital fracture, breaking the bone around his left eye, after a strong collision with an opposing player during a UEFA Champions League match just over two weeks before the World Cup opening. He underwent surgery after medical experts indicated he would need to focus on recovery for at least four weeks, raising concerns about a Qatar World Cup without Son Heung-min.

Son Heung-min, however, declared, "If there is even a 1% possibility, I will run forward with my eyes on that possibility," burning with determination. In reality, he wore a facial protection mask and played every minute of every match at the World Cup. The touching mask heroic effort of 'Captain' Son Heung-min led to the meaningful result of South Korea's advancement to the World Cup Round of 16.

The determination to participate in the World Cup even while wearing a facial protection mask is expected to be no different for the veteran Modric, born in 1985. Having played for the Croatian national team since 2006, Modric has appeared in 196 A-match games (28 goals). Following his participation in the 2006, 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups, he is now preparing for his fifth career World Cup appearance and what is effectively his World Cup 'last dance.' Ranked 11th in the FIFA rankings, Croatia is in Group L of the World Cup group stage along with England, Ghana, and Panama.

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*This content was translated by AI.