Luka Modric returns to Milan with the international break behind him and the season again in view, carrying both the disappointment of Croatia’s Nations League results and the certainty that he is not yet ready to speak about an ending.
The coach and the club
Croatia completed their latest Nations League run with one win and three defeats. England and Spain proved too strong, with the loss to Thomas Tuchel’s England particularly painful for a player who admitted he felt embarrassed by the scale of Croatia’s collapse.
For Modric, however, the international disappointment does not alter the immediate task. His attention now returns to Milan and to the remaining months of a campaign in which he remains one of the central figures.
At his age, questions about retirement are inevitable, but the Croatian midfielder made clear that neither his appetite nor his physical confidence has disappeared.
“I feel good. I still have passion, ambition and strength,” Modric said. “As long as I feel that way, I want to keep playing.”
He refused to put a timetable on the final stage of his playing career, explaining that his decision will be made gradually rather than through a public declaration.
“I cannot say how long it will last. It could be two months, three months, six months, a year or two years; I do not know,” he said. “I do not want to give an answer now and then regret it. I will go step by step, match by match and month by month, listening to my body and to how I feel.”
Modric added that he does not know whether this will be his final season in football or whether he will continue beyond it, but insisted that he still feels well and is enjoying the game.
Milan’s present, Madrid’s future possibility
The midfielder’s focus is firmly on Milan for now, even if Real Madrid remains the defining club of his career. Modric spent 13 years in the Spanish capital and described Madrid as his home and the club of his life.
He did not rule out returning to Real Madrid after retirement, but stressed that any future role would need to carry real responsibility rather than be a symbolic homecoming.
“Of course I would like to return, but only if I could be useful and work for Madrid, not simply be at Madrid,” Modric said. “I would want to help in every way I can.”
Before that could happen, he believes several matters would need to align: his own preparation, a clear understanding of the role and the club’s willingness to bring him back. It is a possibility for another time, not a plan distracting him from the work still ahead in Italy.
For the moment, Modric’s position is uncomplicated. He will judge his future through the rhythm of matches, recovery and feeling, while Milan continue their season with a veteran who still sees more football to play.
