“This is a new tournament and we have to look at it that way,” Croatian captain Luka Modric wants to write a new chapter in the Qatar World Cup

The finalists of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Croatia will look to start their campaign in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar against Morocco. Luka Modric and company will ;look to take motivation from the previous campaign and bring that positivity and intensity to this campaign. While Croatia are all set to start another World Cup campaign, Modric wants his men to keep the memories of the last World Cup aside and focus on the current one.

Modric suggested that it was an unforgettable experience for Croatia in Russia and it will always be in their hearts. But for now they need to keep it aside and start afresh in Qatar against Morocco in their opening game. “What we went through in 2018 was an unforgettable experience, indelible in our minds,” the Croatia captain said. We will speak about it and be having recollections for the rest of our lives, but we need to put it aside.”

Croatia defeated England in the semifinals before losing out to France in the World Cup finals. Despite the loss, Luka Modric received the Golden Ball and was the tournament’s best player in Russia. He will look to replicate that form for Croatia four years later.

The 37-year-old Real Madrid superstar feels that every World Cup is different to one another and they need to treat it differently rather than reminiscing old results. He feels that they should play with their all and leave it out on the pitch and if they get good results then fine or else they will leave the pitch with their heads held high.

“Many players at the Russia World Cup are not here, new players have come, quality young players with fresh energy. This is a new tournament and we have to look at it that way. We’re expected to play our hearts out, give our best and leave the last atom of strength on the pitch. If this means we get good results, then great – if not, we have to keep our heads high knowing we gave our best,” the Croatian captain suggested.
Croatia are in Group F alongwith their opening day rivals Morocco, Belgium and Canada who are playing their first World Cup since 1986. It is a tricky group with all teams have some game changers who can step up to the occasion and change the game completely. While people would consider Croatia favourties to progress through to the knockouts, stranger things have happened in sport.