40-year-old Modric expected to extend Milan contract rather than retire on an injury
TL;DR
Luka Modric is expected to extend his contract with Milan for another year instead of retiring due to a recent injury. He has had a successful season, playing 32 out of 34 matches in Serie A.
Key points
- Luka Modric expected to extend Milan contract
- Modric suffered a fractured cheekbone injury
- He has played 32 of 34 Serie A matches this season
Mentioned in this story
40-year-old Modric expected to extend Milan contract rather than retire on an injury
Reports in Italy indicate that Luka Modric is set to trigger the one-year extension clause in his contract with Milan rather than end his illustrious career through injury after fracturing his cheekbone in a recent 0-0 draw with Juventus.
Modric and Milan expecetd to activate 12-month extension clause
The signing of the 40-year-old former Ballon d’Or winner has been an overwhelming success in San Siro. Modric has started in 32 of Milan’s 34 matches in Serie A so far this season, and has racked up a total of 2,788 minutes in the league, which is more than he managed in any of his last five seasons with Real Madrid.
Modric is, however, expected to miss the final four matches of the 2025-26 season after suffering a fractured cheekbone while challenging for a header with Manuel Locatelli during last weekend’s 0–0 draw between Milan and Juventus in Serie A.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 26: Luka Modric of AC Milan is assisted off by medical staff after going down injured during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
This could have potentially been a career-ending injury, given that Modric signed a one-year contract with Milan at the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign, but reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that he will activate the 12-month extension clause in his deal in order to prolong his stay in San Siro.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, it is technically a club option to extend, but Milan will not activate the extension clause in Modric’s contract without his blessing first.
Friday’s report claims that Modric just needs to give the thumbs up, which he is expected to do, in order for Milan to extend his stay until the end of the 2026-27 season. A formal announcement is unlikely to arrive before the end of the 2026 World Cup this summer, though.
Modric is said to be attracted to the idea of playing Champions League football under Massimiliano Allegri next season, as well as the idea of announcing his retirement and bidding farewell to professional football at a major club like Milan and at an iconic venue like San Siro.
Q&A
Why is Luka Modric extending his contract with Milan instead of retiring?
Luka Modric is extending his contract to activate a one-year extension clause rather than ending his career due to a recent injury.
How many matches has Luka Modric played for Milan this season?
Luka Modric has started in 32 out of 34 matches in Serie A this season.
What injury did Luka Modric sustain during the match against Juventus?
Luka Modric fractured his cheekbone during a recent 0-0 draw with Juventus.
