Modric Shelves Retirement Talk As Croatia Nears EURO 2024 Elimination

Croatia conceded a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with Italy in their final group game on Monday.

The 38-year-old had earlier made history by becoming the oldest player to score in the European Championships when he slammed home a rebound moments after Gianluigi Donnarumma had saved his penalty.

Mattia Zaccagni struck an equaliser for the holders with the last kick of the game deep in stoppage time, leaving Croatia on the brink of elimination.

With just two points on board, Croatia will need England to beat Slovenia by three unanswered goals and for Denmark to beat Serbia to stand a chance of advancing as one of the four best third-placed sides.

"I'd like to keep playing forever but there will probably be a time I'll have to hang up my boots," Modric, who was named player of the match, said after the game.

"I'll keep playing on, I don't know for how much longer."

"We kept battling right until the end but unfortunately football was merciless with us tonight," added the Real Madrid midfielder.

"It was cruel... but that's part and parcel of football.

"It's hard when you lose like this to find the words to describe how you feel.

"Perhaps it's unfair because we all really fought for Croatia right from the first whistle until the last. We should be proud of the way we represented our country tonight."

Modric has won 178 caps for Croatia since his debut in 2006.