Croatia names Modric-led preliminary Euro 2024 squad

AFP | Zagreb

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic announced yesterday a preliminary 26-man squad for Euro 2024 to be led by veteran captain Luka Modric in his likely last major tournament before retirement from international football.

The 38-year-old Real Madrid midfielder, who is poised to depart at the end of the season, led Croatia to an historic second-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.

Modric-led Croatia finished third at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and last year lost to Spain in the Nations League final.

“He (Modric) can hardly wait to play for Croatia and be our leader,” Dalic told reporters in Zagreb presenting the squad.

Croatia’s most succesful coach, who took over in 2017, said he was “aware of great expectations” from the championship in Germany that starts on June 14.

“But there are still many national teams that have a great chance to fight for something at the Euro,” Dalic said and estimated Croatia had the toughest group. Croatia play Spain in their opening Group B match on June 15 before facing Albania and current European champions Italy

“There is no pressure. I just want us to enjoy football, for Croatia to be good again, and for the fans to be happy and proud”,Dalic said.