Veteran Croatian international midfielder Luka Modric has signed a one-year contract extension with Italian giants AC Milan. The former Ballon d’Or winner will be 41 in September.
The future still bears his name.
Luka’s Rossonero story continues ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/Ly5sm7QQ44— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 23, 2026
A regular for Milan in season 2025/26
Modric joined the Rossoneri as a free agent last summer after running down his contract at Real Madrid. He signed a one-year deal with the option of another year.
Despite his advancing years, the midfielder still managed 37 appearances for Milan in all competitions, scoring two goals and producing three assists, as the Rossoneri finished in fifth place in the table but exited the Coppa Italia at the round of 16.
Still playing international football
While Modric has continued to thrive at club level, it is no surprise that the midfielder is still a regular for his national team.
The former Real Madrid star appeared eight times in World Cup qualifying for Croatia, scoring once and creating two goals. He also played four times for his national team at the World Cup, with his team exiting the competition at the last 32 stage.
Incredibly, during that World Cup, he joined a small group of players who have made over 200 appearances for their countries, which includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Bader Al-Mutawa, and Lionel Messi.
Since making his international debut in 2006, Modric has made 202 appearances for Croatia, scoring 29 goals. His appearances at the World Cup 2026 mean he has appeared at five editions of the competition.
In the 2018 edition, he was the Golden Ball winner after helping Croatia reach their first-ever World Cup final, where they suffered a 4-2 defeat to France.
However, his club and international performances were enough to see the midfielder win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in December 2018.
In winning the award, he became the first player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award since Kaka in 2007.
Luka Modric may not still be at the same level as his Ballon d’Or-winning days, which is understandable. Still, he has shown in recent seasons that not only does he have quality, he also has incredible fitness and staying power.