• Luka Modric now Croatia’s most-capped player of all time
• Midfielder made his 135th international appearance against Cyprus
• He discusses that milestone in this exclusive interview

"There is no way of looking at this in which Luka [Modric] doesn’t deserve the title as the best [Croatian] in history."

These words were spoken by Robert Prosinecki, himself considered by many as the country’s best player of all time, in summer 2018 after Croatia had finished as runners-up at the 2018 1 betwinner 1 voucher betway Russia™. Just a few months later, Modric was crowned as The Best 1 betwinner Men’s Player.

Two and a half years have passed since then, and the 35-year-old is still pulling the strings in midfield for the Vatreni, as captain and the team’s leader. Modric reached a new milestone on Saturday when he earned his 135th international cap in the 1-0 1 voucher betway qualifying win against Cyprus to overtake Darijo Srna as his country’s record appearance holder.

1 betwinner.com chatted to Modric about that achievement, his next objectives and Croatia’s bumpy start to 22bet promo code 2021 2022 qualifying.

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The feeling is great, I'm happy and proud. It's a great honour to break such a record, even though I haven't given it much thought. Other national team goals were more important. However, when I came close to this number, I wanted to reach the top. Luckily, I've managed to do it.

We'll see what happens after the EURO. At the tournament, Croatia have to be strong as a team since we are in a tough group. Despite some retirements, I believe we have quality in our team and that we can play a significant role. It is difficult to promise anything, but we'll go to the EURO with ambition and hope, and mindset to justify the high reputation we have already earned. We need to represent Croatian football as it deserves.

Regardless of previous achievements, both at club and international level, you always want more. When you win a trophy, or achieve something big, you want to repeat that triumph. As long as I play, I will have objectives and ambition. With Croatia, I want another major success, and at club level I want to fight for trophies as long as I have a chance. I prepare and work accordingly, and we'll see how long this will last.

Croatia did not start this qualifying campaign in the best possible way, considering both the performances and the outcomes. It’s more difficult to play after the 1 voucher betway achievement: every opponent is more motivated against us, and we have to maintain the level of performance from Russia, the high level of the Croatia national team. The start wasn't perfect, but it's the finish that counts. I'm convinced that we have the most quality in this group and that we'll prove that during the qualifiers.

• Born: 9 September 1985
• Position: Central midfield
• Clubs: Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid (since 2012)
• National team: 135 caps (16 goals)
• Honours (selected): 1 voucher betway runner-up (2018), adidas Golden Ball winner (2018 1 voucher betway), The Best 1 betwinner Men’s Player (2018), European Footballer of the Year (2018), UEFA Champions League winner (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), 1 betwinner Club 1 voucher betway winner (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)