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Luka Modric to end Croatia career after signing new one-year deal with AC Milan
Deepa Krishnaswamy | July 22, 2026 10:04 AM CST

Luka Modric is set to extend his stay with AC Milan for another year and will officially bring his international career with Croatia to a close this October. The legendary midfielder has decided to dedicate his final professional season entirely to the Italian club, hoping to end his illustrious career on a high note after missing out on Champions League qualification and facing disappointment at the World Cup.

Modric commits to AC Milan

As reported by Gazzetta dello Sport, all formalities are nearly complete for Modric to sign a fresh one-year extension with AC Milan. Currently enjoying his holiday, the 40-year-old has already conveyed his desire to continue with the Rossoneri to the club’s top management, making his intentions clear ahead of the upcoming season.

The renewed deal will see Modric remain at San Siro until the end of next season. The veteran playmaker is expected to travel to Australia soon to join his teammates for their pre-season tour under new head coach Ruben Amorim. AC Milan are finalising the paperwork, and an official announcement is anticipated in the coming days.

End of an era for Croatia

Alongside securing his club future, Modric has made a firm decision about his international commitments. He has informed Croatia’s manager, Slaven Bilic, that he plans to retire from international football in early October.

Modric’s farewell match for Croatia is scheduled for October 6, when the national team faces Spain in a Nations League clash in Split. Following Croatia’s early exit from the World Cup, where they were eliminated by Portugal in the round of 32, Modric has chosen to conclude his international journey. By stepping back from national duty, he aims to conserve his energy and channel all his focus towards helping AC Milan lift silverware.

A remarkable career in numbers

Over the course of his career, Modric has assembled a glittering list of achievements, including six UEFA Champions League titles, four La Liga crowns, and five UEFA Super Cups during his time at Real Madrid. In 2018, he earned the prestigious Ballon d'Or and was also named The Best FIFA Men’s Player. Before joining AC Milan on a free transfer in 2025, Modric’s career featured several major moves.

Tottenham Hotspur signed him from Dinamo Zagreb in 2008 for €22.5 million, and four years later, Real Madrid acquired him for €35 million. Earlier in his career, he also lifted three Croatian league titles, solidifying his reputation as one of the finest midfielders of his generation.

What lies ahead for AC Milan

Modric now plans to devote himself fully to physical conditioning as he prepares to reunite with the AC Milan squad in Australia. The team has a busy pre-season tour lined up, giving Amorim an opportunity to fine-tune his tactical approach. Once pre-season concludes, Modric and his teammates will turn their attention to making a strong start in domestic competitions as they aim to bring back glory to the San Siro.


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