# Luka Modrić international appearance record pursuit

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/luka-modri-international-appearance-record-pursuit
> Updated: 2026-10-06T20:49:56.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 2.

Croatia captain Luka Modrić is approaching the record for the most international appearances in football history. Following a UEFA Nations League match against Spain, Modrić reached 204 caps.

By his 206th appearance against Spain, he moved within one match of surpassing Lionel Messi’s record of 207 caps. Modrić currently trails only Cristiano Ronaldo for the all-time record. In addition to his appearance milestones, he remains a significant figure in Croatia’s scoring history, currently ranking fifth on the national team’s all-time scoring list.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-06: Luka Modrić reaches 206 international caps for Croatia

Croatia captain Luka Modrić reached 206 international appearances against Spain, moving within one cap of Lionel Messi's 207.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/luka-modri-reaches-206-international-caps-for-croatia

### 2026-09-28: Luka Modrić nears Lionel Messi's international cap record

Croatia's Luka Modrić reached 204 international caps following a Nations League loss to Spain, placing him just three matches away from surpassing Lionel Messi's appearance record.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/luka-modric-reaches-203-caps-for-croatia

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Cite as: Luka Modrić international appearance record pursuit. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/luka-modri-international-appearance-record-pursuit