Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41, and Luka Modric, 40, made World Cup history on July 2, 2026, when they faced each other in the last-32 match between Portugal and Croatia. This marked the first occasion two outfield players over 40 played against each other in a World Cup match [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Before this tournament, only Roger Milla of Cameroon had played in a World Cup as an outfield player after turning 40. Ronaldo and Modric join him as rare veterans competing at the highest level at an advanced age for footballers [1, 2, 3, 5].
The two players have enjoyed intertwined careers at both club and international level. They first played together during the 2008-09 season at Real Madrid and won four UEFA Champions League titles together over six seasons. Notably, Modric assisted Ronaldo in the 2017 Champions League final [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
On the international stage, Ronaldo and Modric have built impressive resumes. Ronaldo was set to make his 232nd appearance for Portugal while Modric was due to earn his 202nd cap for Croatia in the match. Their first international milestone shared was on March 1, 2006, when Modric debuted for Croatia and Ronaldo scored twice against Saudi Arabia the same day [4].
Despite early skepticism, Ronaldo remains a key player for Portugal. He became the first footballer to score at six World Cups after netting twice against Uzbekistan. He played every minute of Portugal’s group stage matches, which included an emphatic 5-0 win over a team ranked 60th globally but also draws or losses against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia [1, 2, 3, 5].
Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez insisted there is no issue with Ronaldo’s fitness. Martinez said, "There is not an issue physically or mentally for Cristiano in today’s game to play the 90 minutes" [1]. Critics argue Martinez prioritizes Ronaldo’s presence over team balance, with talented midfielders like Joao Neves and Bernardo Silva often benched [1, 2, 3, 5].
Ronaldo acknowledged the challenges of maintaining top form at his age, saying, "It’s already 23 years I’ve been a professional and whenever things don’t go well it’s ‘Cristiano, he’s finished, he’s old’" [1]. He also declared confidently, "I’m back" before the tournament started [1].
The Portugal vs Croatia match on July 2 remains a landmark football event, showcasing longevity at the sport’s highest level. Both players continue their careers amid the group stage’s mixed results and debates about team strategy.
Further progression in the World Cup knockout rounds now depends on the outcomes of these matches, with fans eager to see if the veteran stars can lead their teams deeper into the tournament [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
