Luka Modric is "oriented to announce" his retirement from football once his 2026 World Cup campaign with Croatia comes to an end. The 40-year-old maestro, now at AC Milan, is reportedly ready to call time on one of the greatest careers the sport has ever seen.
AC Milan's 2-1 loss to Cagliari sealed their absence from the Champions League next season, removing one of the key conditions Modric had set for continuing his playing career. The dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri, the man with whom he had a close bond, was the second blow.
He turns 41 in September. Milan's leadership has been gutted, and a Europa League "redemption year" no longer feels like enough to keep him motivated.
Modric left Real Madrid in July 2025 after 13 seasons and a club-record 28 trophies, including six Champions Leagues and the 2018 Ballon d'Or. A fourth World Cup, at 40, would be the perfect final act.
The midfielder who outlasted Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta, and Xavi at the top of the game is finally ready to walk away. If this is goodbye, the United States gets to host the last dance of a Ballon d'Or winner who never really aged.
Luka Modric is "oriented to announce" his retirement from football once his 2026 World Cup campaign with Croatia comes to an end. The 40-year-old maestro, now at AC Milan, is reportedly ready to call time on one of the greatest careers the sport has ever seen.
AC Milan's 2-1 loss to Cagliari sealed their absence from the Champions League next season, removing one of the key conditions Modric had set for continuing his playing career. The dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri, the man with whom he had a close bond, was the second blow.
He turns 41 in September. Milan's leadership has been gutted, and a Europa League "redemption year" no longer feels like enough to keep him motivated.
Modric left Real Madrid in July 2025 after 13 seasons and a club-record 28 trophies, including six Champions Leagues and the 2018 Ballon d'Or. A fourth World Cup, at 40, would be the perfect final act.
The midfielder who outlasted Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta, and Xavi at the top of the game is finally ready to walk away. If this is goodbye, the United States gets to host the last dance of a Ballon d'Or winner who never really aged.
