The Croatian national football team held their last training session at Rujevica on Thursday before heading to Lisbon for a friendly match against Portugal (Saturday, at 6:45 PM). The training took place on the auxiliary pitch of the Rijeka stadium since the main one is being fitted with new turf. The team was joined by captain Luka Modrić.

Modrić has done an immense job at Real Madrid this season. Although he had less playing time because Carlo Ancelotti decided to focus on younger players who will lead the team in the coming years, Modrić made excellent use of every minute and became a key player in complex and difficult situations. All of this led to winning another Spanish league title and another Champions League trophy.

The veteran of the "royal club" wants to stay in Madrid and retire there, and it seems likely that this will happen. Modrić will turn 39 next year, and it could be his last season overall, according to Spanish media speculation. The same applies to playing for the national team. It is likely that this is Modrić's last major tournament in the Croatian jersey and the final chance to add a European gold to his World Cup silver and bronze.

Croatia will open their group stage competition at the European Championship with a match against Spain on June 15. After that, they play against Albania on June 19. They will close the group stage with a match against Italy on June 24. All first and second-placed teams will advance to the knockout stage, along with the four best third-placed teams from the groups. The final will be held on July 14 in Berlin.

/VEČERNJI.HR

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