Luka Modric Joins AC Milan: The Maestro Moves On After 13 Legendary Years at Real Madrid
Milan’s midfield just got a massive upgrade and a whole lot classier.
Luka Modric, the eternal midfield wizard and Croatian captain, has officially signed for Serie A giants AC Milan, bringing the curtain down on a glorious 13-year Real Madrid chapter. He joins on a one-year deal, with an option to extend until June 2027.
And yes, you read that right, he’s turning 40 in September. But who’s counting when the man still glides around the pitch like he’s playing futsal on ice?
“Very happy to be here to start a new chapter”, Modric lands in Milan
The move was first confirmed by new Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri earlier this month, but now it’s official: Modric is red and black.
In a short Instagram video posted by Milan, the midfield legend kept it simple and heartfelt:
“Very happy to be here to start a new chapter in my career.”
He’ll wear the No. 14 shirt, a number he famously rocked at Tottenham, inspired by none other than Dutch legend Johan Cruyff.
“It’s an immense honour for them to compare me to (Cruyff)… I wore the no. 14 at Tottenham in honour of him, and because the no. 10 wasn’t available,” Modrić had said back in 2018, after winning the Ballon d’Or.
From Bernabéu royalty to San Siro elegance
Let’s be honest, this is the end of an era.
Modric leaves Real Madrid with a staggering 597 appearances, 28 trophies, and more outside-of-the-boot assists than we can count. That trophy haul includes four LaLiga titles and six Champions League crowns. Six. He was the metronome, the magician, the midfield heartbeat.
Read More
But his final Real Madrid outing wasn’t the fairytale finish anyone wanted, a 4-0 Club World Cup semi-final loss to PSG.
“It’s a bitter end… he’s a legend of world football and of Real Madrid. He’ll be remembered for many more good things than for the 25 minutes he played today,” said manager Xabi Alonso after the match.
Croatia’s Greatest Ever, Now a Rossonero
Internationally, Modric is nothing short of a national treasure. A record 188 caps, 28 goals, and the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup, where he dragged Croatia to their first-ever final. That same year, he did the unthinkable, won the Ballon d’Or, breaking the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly that had lasted over a decade.
Milan’s Midfield Just Got Serious
Modric joins a Milan side looking for redemption after finishing eighth in Serie A last season and missing out on European football. But the midfield is cooking now. Alongside Modric, Allegri has Youssouf Fofana, Yunus Musah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and new signing Samuele Ricci from Torino.
Milan kick off their Serie A campaign on August 23 against newly-promoted Cremonese and now, they’ll do it with one of the greatest midfielders of all time pulling the strings.
Also Read- How Much Every Team Earned From The FIFA Club World Cup 2025?
