Modrić’s Last Dance? Croatia x Brazil Rematch!

March 31, 2026 is approaching, and Brazil faces Croatia in a friendly that goes far beyond a simple preparation game

The stage will be the Camping World Stadium, in Orlando (USA), at 9pm (Brasília time), and the atmosphere promises to be one of revenge – after all, who forgets that elimination on penalties from the 2022 World Cup?

But, on the Croatian side, the game carries extra weight. The country’s press does not hide its concern: the current team is considered inferior to the 2022 team, especially in attack, vitality and that “something extra” that took Croatia to third place in Qatar.

There is a consensus that the peak of the Croatian team was exactly in that historic campaign, with runner-up in 2018 and bronze in 2022. Now, there is talk of delicate transitionafraid of not repeating the recent “miracle”.

Facing Brazil – a power that seeks exactly this revenge – is seen as the big test to prove that they can still go head to head with the giants, even without the stellar squad of yesteryear.

Of the 26 called up, 12 players they are remnants of the 2022 World Cup, which shows that the backbone still resists, but the freshness and brightness of the past seem more distant.

And the conductor? At age 40 (in September), Luka Modric continues to be the heart of the team, the leader on the field.

For the Croatians, this friendly (and the 2026 World Cup itself) represents the “last dance” of the idol. He still controls the pace, distributes precise passes and inspires the team, but time is unforgiving.

The current squad is competitive, yes, but seen as limited in comparison to the glorious past. In Croatia’s last five games, the record is modest: draw with the Czech Republic, victories over Montenegro (twice), Gibraltar and the Faroe Islands. Nothing that scares, but also nothing that excites like before.

Of the 26 players, 23 play in foreign leagues – a sign that the Croatian base exports talent, but depends heavily on accumulated experience to stay at the top. For Brazil, it is a perfect opportunity to show progress under Ancelotti’s command, test the squad against a traditionally complicated opponent and send a clear message: we are ready for another World Cup

.March 31st is not just a friendly match. It’s rematch.

*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.