Real Madrid captain Luka Modric was asked about his retirement plans upon turning 39.
The midfielder starred for his country Croatia on Sunday, and scored the only goal of the game against FC Barcelona rival Robert Lewandowski's Poland in a 1-0 UEFA Nations League win.
Ahead of celebrating his 39th birthday on Monday, Modric was probed on retirement after the match.
"With me you never know," he said. "We have to take it game by game. I can't think about the future. When I no longer feel the fire in me, I will retire."
"Only I can feel that fire and make the decision. I'm happy to still be here to help the team achieve new victories. At my age it's hard to predict. I won't need anyone to tell me. Until then, I'm still here," he added.
Following what was an astounding 180th appearance in his country's colours, Modric noted that he has "happy to have scored from a direct free kick after so long".
"I'm proud and happy to have reached 180 games with the national team. I never dreamed of reaching them. The first time is a dream and 180 is a really wonderful thing. I'm happy to be here and help."
Linked with a possible move to Saudi Arabia the past two summers, Modric didn't follow Toni Kroos' lead by retiring following a joint-record sixth Champions League win in June and renewed his expiring terms for another 12 months.
If following the advice of Madrid legend Predrag Mijatovic, however, this season, which Modric plays with the captain's armband whenever picked by Carlo Ancelotti, would be his last in the Spanish capital.
"Luka had an offer from Saudi Arabia and he rejected it, this summer he has also had offers for a lot of money but he has decided to stay," Mijatovic recently explained on Cadena SER.
"He has already made up his mind that he is no longer an undisputed starter, he realised that last season and he already knows that he is not a starter."
"He's going to be 39 years old and I think he's close to retiring from Real Madrid. I don't know if he'll make it to the World Cup, you never know and with Luka even less, but I think it's time to retire, and if it can be at Madrid even better," Mijatovic added.
Regardless of when he decides to call it a day, Modric is certain to do so regarded as one of the greatest playmakers of all time.