Luka Modrić becomes oldest player to assist in World Cup at 40

Luka Modrić, at 40 years and 291 days old, delivered an assist in Croatia’s 2-1 victory over Ghana to become the oldest player to record an assist in World Cup history. The moment came in the 83rd minute, setting up Nikola Vlašić to break a 1-1 deadlock and send Croatia through to the knockout rounds for the third consecutive tournament.

A record that stood for 60 years

The previous record for oldest player to assist a World Cup goal dated back to 1966. Modrić didn’t just edge past it. He obliterated it in the most consequential way possible, delivering the decisive contribution in a must-win match.

This was Modrić’s fifth World Cup appearance for Croatia. He has played over 200 matches for the Croatian national team across a career that most analysts assumed would be winding down years ago.

In 2018, he dragged Croatia to a World Cup final. In 2022, he captained them to a semifinal run.