Luka Modric was laughing when somebody asked him the secret of his longevity.

A debutant at the 2006 World Cup and winner of the Golden Ball in 2018, Modric is the player for the ages, pulling the strings for Croatia from the centre of the park. The 37-year-old captain will again be doing the same on Friday when Brazil come calling at the Education City Stadium.

“If you know the recipe please share it with me. Even I want to be young again,” he said.

But even at 37, Modric is a force to be reckoned with. His sprint to chase down Kevin De Bruyne during the goalless game against Belgium last week will keep playing on your mind for a long time or his pass for Ivan Perisic with the outside of his right foot seconds after the kick-off.

Modric is the man the team — in the process of rebuilding following the international retirement of a host of players after the World Cup final loss to France in Russia — looks up to. “When you see Luka running on the pitch, it gives us younger players the extra energy to run,” full-back Josip Juranovic said, effusive in his praise.

And when coach Zlatko Dalic says “he (Modric) can play as long as he wants to for the national team”, you know how important Modric is in the scheme of his things.

Modric had an unforgettable match during the tie-breaker win against Japan, but Dalic knows much of the team’s fortunes against a rampaging Brazilian side will depend on the Real Madrid midfield maestro.

Modric will be up against a trio of Brazilians who still play with him in Madrid and one was his midfield partner in-crime till last season. Vinicius Junior, Rodrgyo Goes, Eder Militao and Casemiro will be there on Friday to ensure Modric doesn’t do what he does for Madrid.

Remember that pass to Rodrgyo with the same outside of his right foot against Chelsea in the Champions League last season? Vintage stuff. “Yeah they are friends but on the pitch on Friday we will try to outwit each other for our national teams. And when the match is over we will again hug and be friends.”

Vinicius, who has learnt from Modric the use of the outside of the right foot to maximum effect, doffed his hat. “He has taught me a lot and does so every day so that I continue to evolve. He’s an example. Someone who is 37 playing at that level is a rare thing.”

A loss on Friday could put a stop to Modric’s international career but the man who ended Lionel Messia and Cristiano Ronaldo’s vice-like grip by winning the best player of the year award in 2018, promises something spectacular.“Brazil are always one of the favourites anyway. But we are not the team who will be satisfied just with a quarter-final stage finish.”

Words that would be music to Croatia’s ears.

Penalised

The Croatian and Serbian soccer federations were fined by Fifa on Wednesday for making Balkan political statements at the World Cup, adds AP/PTI.

Fifa fined the Croatians50,000 Swiss francs ($53,000)after the team’s fans verbally abused and taunted Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan, who has Serbian family ties.

The Serbian soccer federation was fined 20,000 Swiss francs ($21,300) for a political banner about neighbouring Kosovo displayed in the locker room before playing Brazil in the team’s opening game.

It showed a map of Serbia that included the territory of its former province, which has been an independent state for nearly 15 years, and the slogan“No Surrender.”