[Official] 'Like Son Heung-min' mask resilience previewed, 41-year-old Modrić confirms participation in World Cup

*This content was translated by AI.

Luka Modrić (41, AC Milan), born in 1985, will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America despite undergoing surgery for a fractured cheekbone. Depending on the player's choice, he may also take the World Cup stage wearing a facial protection mask like Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) did during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Zlatko Dalić, head coach of the Croatian national football team, held a press conference on the 19th (Korean time) and announced the final 26-player roster and a list of seven reserve players for the North American World Cup. Modrić confidently secured his spot on the final roster. There is a remarkable 22-year age gap between him and Luka Bušković (Hamburg), the youngest member of the national team born in 2007.

For Modrić, who made his debut for the Croatian A national team in 2006, this marks his fifth World Cup appearance. Following the 2006 Germany tournament, the 2014 Brazil and 2018 Russia tournaments, and the 2022 Qatar tournament, he will now perform his "last dance" at the North American World Cup. Croatia, led by Modrić, has repeatedly created miracles, finishing as runners-up in the 2018 tournament and third place in the 2022 tournament.

Modrić, who has appeared in 196 A-match games for the Croatian national team, prepares for the World Cup while overcoming the setback of a fractured cheekbone just before the tournament. Last month, during the 34th round of the 2025-2026 Italian Serie A match against Juventus, he was struck on the left cheekbone area while competing for an aerial ball against an opponent. Following a diagnosis of multiple cheekbone fractures, Modrić ultimately underwent surgery. It initially seemed that his World Cup challenge was in jeopardy.

Nevertheless, he did not give up on the World Cup. According to coach Dalić, Modrić has already completed his surgery and is training while wearing a facial protection mask, and he has ultimately made the final World Cup roster. Whether Modrić will actually wear a mask on the World Cup stage will be left to the player's discretion.

If Modrić takes the World Cup stage wearing a facial protection mask, domestic fans will inevitably recall the mask resilience of Son Heung-min from four years ago. At that time, Son Heung-min suffered an orbital bone fracture just about two weeks before the World Cup opening and underwent surgery. Medical opinions indicated a minimum recovery period of four weeks, causing a state of emergency within the team under coach Paulo Bento.

However, Son Heung-min declared, "If there is even a 1% possibility, I will run forward with my eyes on that possibility," burning with determination. He played full 90 minutes in every match of the tournament while wearing a facial protection mask. Despite adverse conditions such as sweat pouring down like rain and limited vision due to the mask, Son Heung-min led South Korea to the Round of 16.

Modrić, despite undergoing cheekbone surgery, also demonstrated mask resilience by accompanying the team to the away match against Genoa in the 37th round of the Italian Serie A on the 17th and sitting on the bench. AC Milan is engaged in a fierce competition for qualification in the UEFA Champions League, and this reflects his determination to contribute his strength. Jose A. Alaimo Storachi, a journalist reporting on club news, stated, "Modrić wants to return as soon as possible, even if he has to wear a mask."

Meanwhile, Croatia, ranked 11th in the FIFA rankings, has included Modrić, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovačić (both Manchester City), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Nikola Vlašić (Torino), Ivan Perišić (PSV Eindhoven), and Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim) in the final World Cup roster. In the group stage of the North American World Cup finals, they were placed in Group L alongside England, Ghana, and Panama.

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*This content was translated by AI.