Luka Modrić is leaving Real Madrid after 13 seasons and 28 major trophies, but he’s not easing into retirement. At 39, the Croatian has agreed to join AC Milan on a one-year deal with the option for a second. The move will be finalized after Madrid concludes its Club World Cup run.
It’s a late-career gamble for both sides. For Modrić, a chance to stay relevant ahead of the 2026 World Cup. For Milan, a bet that leadership and pedigree can fill the void that defined last season’s collapse.
“He asked me if we’ll be a team built to win the championship,” said Milan sporting director Igli Tare, who met with Modrić personally. “He brings mentality, leadership, and professionalism.”
Modrić will earn around $3.8 million annually, with bonuses that could increase the total to nearly $4.5 million. He turned down more lucrative moves elsewhere to play for the club he supported as a boy.
A new leader for a club in transition
The 2024–25 campaign exposed Milan’s flaws. They finished eighth in Serie A and lost the Coppa Italia final to Bologna. There were no clear voices on the pitch. Tare believes Modrić is the fix. With Max Allegri returning as manager, the vision is clear: experienced leaders guiding a technically gifted but inconsistent core. Modrić brings composure, control, and credibility. He’s also expected to mentor younger teammates, including if Milan finalizes a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Granit Xhaka.
Even with reduced minutes in Madrid last season, Modrić created 99 chances—more than anyone at the club except Vinícius Júnior. The legs may be aging, but the brain is sharp. And for a team trying to reestablish rhythm, that matters.
Modrić isn’t joining Milan as a celebrity cameo. He still wants to be the protagonist, and Milan is offering that stage. He’s fit, fully motivated, and already preparing to push for a fifth World Cup appearance with Croatia in 2026. This deal is also personal. Modrić has long admired Milan and now has the chance to lead them. It’s the kind of story fans still want to believe in.
He could also help shape Milan’s next phase. If Xhaka arrives, Modrić’s pairing with him could define the Rossoneri’s midfield identity. Tare hinted at more signings to come, saying Modrić would be “one of two or three experienced figures” brought in to support younger players like Rafael Leão and Mike Maignan. Milan sees this as a new leadership core, not just a symbolic signing.
This isn’t a nostalgia play. It’s a calculated move by a club trying to recover its edge—and by a player who refuses to fade quietly. Luka Modrić isn’t done yet. And AC Milan might be the perfect place for one last big statement.
