L. Modrić
AC Milan · UEFA Nations League · Midfielder · #10 · Croatia · 40 yrs
L. Modrić news
World Cup 2026 winner Rodri tells Manchester City he wants Real Madrid switch, and one reason stands out
Following his starring role in Spain's triumph at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 30-year-old has become a top target for Real Madrid, with growing belief that a blockbuster transfer could materialize before the new season begins. Rodri’s future has emerged as one of the biggest talking points of the summer transfer window after fresh reports linked the World Cup-winning midfielder with a move away from Manchester City. Following his starring role in Spain’s triumph at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 30-year-old has become a top target for Real Madrid, with growing belief that a blockbuster transfer could materialize before the new season begins. The Spain international remains under contract with Manchester City until 2027, but speculation has intensified after several reports claimed the midfielder is reluctant to commit to a new deal. While City continues hoping to keep one of its most influential players, Real Madrid is increasingly confident that an agreement can eventually be reached. For much of the summer, reports suggested Los Blancos were not actively pursuing Rodri. However, that position appears to have shifted after his outstanding performances at the World Cup, where he captained La Roja’s midfield and helped guide the national team to the title while also winning the tournament’s Golden Ball award. According to The Athletic, Real Madrid are now actively working on a deal despite formal club-to-club negotiations not yet beginning. The report states that the Spanish giant believes Rodri is the ideal player to strengthen its midfield and is already planning as though the transfer could happen this summer. One reason behind Rodri’s desire to leave As more details emerged, another report from journalist Ben Jacobs revealed why Rodri is pushing for the switch. According to those claims, the midfielder has informed Manchester City that he wants to join Real Madrid for football and family reasons. Those factors have reportedly convinced him that now is the right moment to return to Spain after seven successful years in England. The same report adds that Rodri has made the move to the Santiago Bernabéu his priority and is currently not expected to sign a contract extension with Manchester City, despite the club’s continued efforts to convince him to stay. Why Real Madrid sees Rodri as the perfect fit Real Madrid has spent several transfer windows searching for a long-term midfield leader following the gradual departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić. Although players like Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde offer different qualities, reports suggest the club believes Rodri brings the balance, leadership, tactical intelligence and experience needed to control matches at the highest level. Analysts also believe his arrival would suit José Mourinho’s tactical approach, with Rodri capable of protecting the defense while allowing attacking stars greater freedom higher up the pitch.
Modric determined to help AC Milan return to Champions League after extending contract
Luka Modric shows no signs of slowing down at 40 years old, having penned a new one-year deal with AC Milan. The post Modric determined to help AC Milan return to Champions League after extending contract appeared first on SoccerNews.
Luka Modric could break Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s record as AC Milan’s oldest player after contract renewal
With AC Milan announcing the renewal of Luka Modric, the Croatian legend could break Zlatan Ibrahimovic's record as the oldest player to feature for the Rossoneri. Luka Modric will remain on the pitch for at least one more season as AC Milan officially confirmed a one-year contract extension with the Croatian playmaker through June 2027. With another campaign on the horizon at San Siro, Modric is positioned to break Zlatan Ibrahimovic‘s long-standing record as the oldest player in Rossoneri history. Following days of optimism surrounding a new deal, AC Milan issued an official statement on July 23 confirming the agreement. “A key figure in the Rossoneri midfield since his arrival, Luka has brought his experience and quality to the service of the team, both on and off the pitch, with humility and great passion,” the club noted. After a decorated decade with Real Madrid, Modric made the move to Milan ahead of the 2025-26 season on an initial one-year deal through the 2026 World Cup. Having recently retired from international duty following Croatia’s World Cup run, the veteran midfielder chose to extend his club career at San Siro, a decision inspired by his childhood admiration for club icon Zvonimir Boban. His debut season in Milan proved challenging from a team perspective, as the Rossoneri finished fifth in Serie A to miss out on Champions League qualification, leading to an offseason coaching change that saw Rúben Amorim replace Massimiliano Allegri. “Ci vediamo presto" 🔜Parola di Luka Modrić pic.twitter.com/IybmopjSyg— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 23, 2026 Despite the team’s struggles, Modric remained a reliable engine in the midfield, making 37 appearances while recording two goals and three assists. His new deal retains his financial terms from last season: a €3.5 million base salary with bonuses pushing the total package to €4.5 million. Chasing Ibrahimovic’s longevity record The tactical pace of Serie A has offered a fitting environment for Modric to maximize his vision and game management late in his career. A central figure under Allegri at age 40, he is expected to serve as the brain in midfield under Amorim. Zlatan Ibrahimovic currently holds the title of the oldest player ever to feature in a competitive match for AC Milan. The Swedish striker set the benchmark during a Serie A fixture against Udinese in March 2023, taking the pitch at 41 years, five months, and 15 days old. Modric, who turns 41 in September 2026, will eclipse Ibrahimović’s mark if he features in the second half of the 2026-27 campaign. Should he play through the season’s conclusion in May 2027, the Croatian legend would push the club’s record to 41 years and eight months old.
Modric and Kroos named by Valverde among his references as he becomes Real Madrid captain
Federico Valverde has reflected on the former teammates who helped shape his career. A new chapter at Real Madrid has begun for Federico Valverde after being named the club’s first captain, with the midfielder revealing Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are among the former teammates who helped shape him during his time in the locker room in an interview with Real Madrid TV. Valverde said: “I grew a lot with the players I had the chance to share so many years with in the locker room, such as Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos, Luka Modrić and Lucas Vázquez. I will never get tired of naming them. They are players who helped me a lot to grow as a person, as a captain and as a player.” The midfielder joined Real Madrid in 2016 from Peñarol and initially played for the club’s youth teams before making his first-team debut in 2018. Since then, he has become one of the most important players in the squad, making more than 300 appearances for the club and winning multiple major trophies, including the Champions League and La Liga. Valverde on working with Mourinho The main change for Real Madrid as they try to leave behind two years without trophies was the hiring of José Mourinho, who already knows the expectations that come with managing such a club. Mourinho returned to the club (Alex Livesey/Getty Images) This was part of the excitement for Valverde because the midfielder proved to be very eager to work under an experienced coach like Mourinho, who should push the players to be at their best every day. Valverde said: “I am really looking forward to learning from him, listening to every piece of advice he gives me and getting as much as possible out of every second of every training session I get to share with him and his coaching staff. He is a special person who I can learn a lot from and take many things from.” Valverde on becoming Real Madrid captain The midfielder admitted that becoming the club’s first captain has filled him with emotion and pride. Valverde said: “I feel a lot of emotion and a great sense of honor. Whenever someone approaches me on the street or someone within my circle says that to me, it really fills you with pride and emotion.”
World Cup 2030 (very early) power rankings: who will challenge Spain at top?
The next men’s World Cup is still four years away, but we take a look at the teams with the firmest foundations who should be primed to contendThe 2026 World Cup provided many an esteemed veteran with what could be their international swansongs, with golden greats Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Neymar, James Rodríguez and Guillermo Ochoa all making teary exits as their tournament ended. As we turn ahead to the 2030 World Cup, any player 32 or older will be sweating their selection status and changing their daily routines to stay sharp against inevitable aging.For these power rankings, we’re overvaluing sure things. Teams with plenty of leading players comfortably in their 20s can build for this impending four-year cycle with greater confidence than a team replacing an ageless talisman. Consider these the 10 teams with the firmest foundations and viable reasons to hope to reach a quarter-final in four years’ time. Continue reading...
The Best XI of the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Our team of the tournament
The 2026 World Cup has come to an end, and World Soccer Talk is elaborating the Best XI of the tournament in North America. The 2026 World Cup has officially drawn to a close, with Spain capturing its second global title in a 1-0 extra-time thriller over Lionel Messi and Argentina. As players disperse and return to their respective clubs, a select group left an indelible mark on North America, earning a place in our Best XI for the largest, most expansive World Cup in soccer history. This historic 48-team tournament bridged the past, present, and future of global stardom, featuring legacy icons like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Luka Modric alongside the sport’s modern titan in Kylian Mbappe and Rodri, plus rising superstars like Erling Haaland, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, and Desire Doue. While figures from every era produced iconic moments on the pitch, only 11 players made the cut for World Soccer Talk’s dream lineup, structured in a traditional 4-3-3 formation. Goalkeeper and Defenders In goal, Unai Simon authored a historical campaign, setting a World Cup record for consecutive shutout minutes while capturing the Golden Glove with seven clean sheets. Conceding just a single goal during Spain’s quarterfinal clash against Belgium, the Athletic Bilbao stopper served as the ultimate security net behind La Roja’s march to glory. Marc Cucurella #24 of Spain. Spain also swept the fullback positions in our XI, anchored by Pedro Porro on the right and Marc Cucurella on the left. Blending relentless overlapping runs with disciplined defensive coverage, the duo completely locked down the flanks and gave Spain the most complete fullback tandem in the tournament. Pau Cubarsi, who earned the FIFA Young Player Award, secured his spot at center-back after fearlessly organizing Spain’s defense against Ronaldo, Mbappe, and Messi, capping his tournament with a legendary clearance in the final. Partnering him is Argentina’s Cristian Romero, who despite his side conceding eight total goals throughout the tournament, proved to be a dominant, warrior-like presence on the backline with crucial tackles and clutch aerial defense. Midfielders Awarded the World Cup Golden Ball as the tournament’s top player, Rodri dictated the tempo of every match for Spain, leading all players with a staggering 94.5 completed passes per game. Operating alongside him, Jude Bellingham served as England’s heartbeat, directly contributing to seven goals and driving the Three Lions to a third-place finish, their finest performance on foreign soil in program history. Operating in an attacking role, Michael Olise rounds out the midfield following a legendary individual tournament. In his World Cup debut, the Bayern Munich playmaker recorded seven assists, breaking Pele’s 56-year-old single-tournament assist record (6) set during the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Forwards Stationed on the right wing, Lionel Messi delivered another heroic, timeless World Cup performance, almost single-handedly driving Argentina back to the final. The legendary captain scored eight goals and provided four assists, directly factoring into 12 of Argentina’s 19 total goals throughout their run in North America. At center forward, Erling Haaland gets the nod after a breathtaking debut campaign that yielded seven goals in just five matches, leading Norway to its first World Cup appearance in 28 years. The Manchester City superstar announced himself on the global stage with an iconic two-goal performance against Brazil in the Round of 16, propelling the Scandinavian nation into the quarterfinals for the first time in its history. Messi posted after the semifinal Rounding out the front line, Kylian Mbappe claims the final spot after taking home the World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals and four assists. At just 27 years old, the French icon cemented his status among the game’s all-time greats, bringing his career total to an astonishing 22 World Cup goals in 22 career matches. 2026 Worl
Report: Luka Modric has decided to retire from Croatia, but extend his contract with AC Milan
Despite entering as one of the favorites, Croatia were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the Round of 16. Following this, Luka Modrić has reportedly decided to retire from the national team. However, he appears set to continue his professional career for one more season with AC Milan. Croatia have been one of the most impressive national teams in recent years, reaching a World Cup final and finishing third at Qatar 2022. However, they were eliminated in the Round of 16 of the 2026 edition. Following this, Luka Modrić has reportedly decided to retire from the national team, bringing a golden era to an end. In addition, he appears determined to extend his contract with AC Milan. According to Andrea Ramazzotti, via La Gazzetta dello Sport, Luka Modrić has decided to end his international career with Croatia. He has decided to announce it at the beginning of October 2026, after the match against Spain in the UEFA Nations League. With this, he establishes as one of the greatest legends of the national team, writing his name alongside Davor Šuker and Zvonimir Boban. Despite his international retirement, Modrić has reached an agreement to extend his contract with AC Milan for one more season, joining the club’s tour in Australia, reports Andrea Ramazzotti. With this, Ruben Amorim keeps the central figure of his midfield, as he had already expressed his desire to continue working with him. However, the head coach has already made it clear that he may not play every match. Luka Modrić has proven to be a truly outstanding player at 41 years old. At the 2026 World Cup, he started all four matches Croatia played. Not only was he key in his national team’s two victories, but he also provided an assist. Despite his age, he remains in excellent physical condition, making his presence at AC Milan a guaranteed reinforcement for the 2026-27 season in the rebuild of the roster. Luka Modric of AC Milan. Modric may be key to unlocking Ricci and Jashari at AC Milan Luka Modrić was a key figure for AC Milan in the most recent season. Under Massimiliano Allegri, he played 2,864 minutes across 37 matches. As a result, he was the team’s oldest player to record the most minutes played. Amid the reconstruction under Ruben Amorim, the Croatian veteran could be key to helping develop Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari at the Rossoneri. During the 2025-26 season, Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari had very little prominence, as they raised serious doubts in several aspects of their game. With this in mind, Luka Modrić can serve as a mentor to both players, helping provide them with more tools to make a greater impact. In addition, they would once again have the opportunity to gradually take on more responsibility, allowing for a slow transition.