The future of Luka Modric at AC Milan is far from settled. In fact, looking at the signals coming from Croatia and Madrid in recent weeks, the Croatian maestro’s time in rossonero may be drawing to a close. Despite the player’s own desire to keep making a difference on the pitch — as he proved throughout last season — the signs accumulating around him point increasingly in a different direction.
Luka Sučić’s Words: “I Don’t Know If He’ll Stay at Milan”
The first concrete signal came from Luka Sučić, the Croatian midfielder at Inter, who was asked about the prospect of a Croatian derby in Serie A with Modric next season. His answer was far from reassuring for Rossoneri fans: “I don’t know, I don’t know if Modric will stay at Milan.” A statement that, while not definitive, reflects genuine uncertainty around the former Real Madrid man’s future.
Modric is approaching forty — he turns 40 in September — yet he has shown he can still perform at the highest level. In a squad being reshaped under a new coach like Rúben Amorim, his experience and quality would represent an asset that is hard to replace.
“He’ll Return to Real Madrid — But Not as a Player”
The second — and perhaps more significant — clue came from an interview Sučić gave to the Spanish newspaper Marca. When asked where Modric would be playing next season, the Croatian midfielder said his compatriot will return to Real Madrid, but not as a footballer. When pressed on what role that might be, Sučić stopped short: “I can’t say anything more.”
That response opens up fascinating possibilities: Modric could return to Madrid in a sporting or institutional capacity, perhaps as a club ambassador or in a leadership role, potentially facilitated by the recent re-election of Florentino Pérez as Real Madrid president. It’s no coincidence that around the time of Pérez’s re-election, Modric himself shared a photo on social media alongside the Spanish president — a gesture that has only added fuel to the speculation.
Three Scenarios: Stay, Retire, or Leave
At this point in time, Modric’s future falls into three possible paths:
- Staying at Milan: the most welcome outcome for Rossoneri fans, but currently the least likely based on available signals.
- Retirement from football: after the World Cup, Modric may decide to hang up his boots. A very real possibility for a player who has given everything to the game and may choose to exit on his own terms.
- A return to Real Madrid in a non-playing role: the most intriguing scenario, which would see Modric take on an institutional role at the club that made him a legend.
In this context, Milan must manage the uncertainty surrounding one of the most emblematic figures in their squad. One thing, however, is certain: whatever path he chooses, Luka Modric will remain one of the greatest footballers of all time.
