August 29, 2021 - Croatia captain Luka Modrić will miss Croatia's Russia and Slovakia qualifiers next week, but could still join the team in Split before the Slovenia match on September 7 at Poljud.
The Croatia national team captain and Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modrić, will not come to the Croatia national team gathering on Monday, August 30, reports HNS.
Due to an adductor injury, Modrić missed last week's La Liga league match against Levante and was in recovery treatment during the week. In consultation with the medical services of Real Madrid and the Croatia national team, it was established that Modrić cannot compete in the qualifying matches against Russia on September 1 and Slovakia on September 4.
Coach Zlatko Dalić and captain Modrić agreed that therefore, Modrić will not come to the national team gathering in Moscow on August 30, and left open the possibility for the captain to join his teammates in Split for the match against Slovenia (September 7), if Modrić gets the green light from his doctor that he is ready to return to the pitch.
After it was decided that Modrić would not compete in the qualifying matches, coach Zlatko Dalić decided to call up Lovro Majer.
The 23-year-old offensive midfielder signed a contract for Rennes this week, after playing his 100th game in the Dinamo Zagreb jersey against Sheriff. Majer was a regular member of the Croatia national youth team, and in 2017 he made his debut for the A national team in a friendly match against Mexico in Los Angeles.
However, Majer shouldn't be looked at as Luka's replacement. It is likely that Dalić will use Mario Pašalić or Nikola Vlašić to play with Mateo Kovačić and Marcelo Brozović.
The 2018 World Cup finalists gather on Monday, August 30, and during this busy September week, they will play against Russia (September 1 in Moscow) and Slovakia (September 4 in Bratislava) and at home against Slovenia (September 7 in Split).
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.
