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Luka Modric’s Milan move is more than just a swan song

Luka Modric’s Milan move is more than just a swan song

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At 40 years old, Luka Modrić has turned back the clock and rediscovered his best form for AC Milan after joining from Real Madrid in the summer.

By Graham Ruthven

It would be easy to write off Serie A as the retirement home of European football. Kevin De Bruyne’s summer move to Napoli reaffirmed the league’s status as the home of the legendary senior citizen, as did AC Milan’s signing of Luka Modrić. Modrić, however, isn’t ready to retire, as his performances for the Rossoneri have proved.

De Bruyne has also made a good start to life in Italy, but Modric has been on another level so far. The Croatian has started all of AC Milan’s opening four league fixtures, quickly establishing himself as the beating heart of Max Allegri’s new-look midfield. At 40 years old, Modrić is back to his best.

This summer was the right time for Modrić to leave Real Madrid. While the Croatian played over 2,500 minutes in all competitions, the arrival of Xabi Alonso marked a shift in the landscape. Alonso favours a high-energy, high-intensity approach and at such a late stage of Modrić’s career it was suggested he would struggle.

Allegri-ball, however, doesn’t make the same demands of the 40-year-old. Instead, AC Milan are set up to stay compact and deep against the ball, the idea being that by inviting pressure there is more space to attack going the other way when they win possession back. Modrić is the supply line in the centre of the pitch.

Many believed Milan had simply lost too much talent over the summer to be truly competitive in Serie A this season. Tijjani Reijnders departed for Manchester City. Theo Hernández left for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League with Malick Thiaw joining Newcastle United. The trio were first team figures.

€160m was spent on replenishments. Christopher Nkunku, Ardon Jashari, Samuele Ricci, Koni De Winter, Pervis Estupiñán, Zachary Athekame, Adrien Rabiot and David Odogu all arrived at San Siro, some for significant fees. It’s a free agent, however, who has made the biggest impact to date.

Milan needed a new central creator after the loss of Reijnders and Modrić fit the bill. The Croatian can do everything – he can pick a pass, he can shoot from distance and he even has enough left in the tank to beat an opponent on the dribble from time to time. Modrić very much still plays like the best all-round midfielder of his generation.

Modrić’s current player traits comparison against midfielders in top five leagues

“Luka is an extraordinary player and it’s a pleasure to watch him, but he is also a humble guy, like a great champion,” said Allegri when asked to sum up the impression Modrić has made on him and his squad since joining in the summer transfer window. “He knows beforehand where the ball will go, and has such great technique.”

With the likes of Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic in front of him, Modrić has had an outlet for his progressive passing and natural ability for driving the ball forward. It’s no coincidence that Pulisic has also started the season in excellent form, scoring five goals in six appearances (all competitions). The American is already benefiting from Modrić’s presence, as will Leão when he’s back from injury.

This weekend’s meeting with early pace-setters and defending champions Napoli will be the first real test of Allegri’s new-look AC Milan. While the Rossoneri have made an impressive start, and Modrić has been an eye-catching performer, they have enjoyed a favourable run of fixtures to open the campaign.

A win over Napoli would be a statement result. It would be a sign of how Milan have quickly remoulded after a hectic summer and the first indication that they could mount a genuine Scudetto challenge. Modrić certainly deserves to play for a team challenging for Italy’s biggest prizes.

Modrić is leading Milan for accurate passes per 90 minutes this season. Nobody has created more chances than the 40-year-old who is averaging more accurate long balls per 90 minutes than any of his teammates, hinting at how Allegri wants Modrić to play into the attack as quickly as possible. This is a key cornerstone of AC Milan’s approach.

Modrić leads our ratings in the Milan squad

Comparisons have been made to Andrea Pirlo, and yet this still doesn’t do justice to the role Modrić is performing. Pirlo never had the game-breaking ability that Modrić has on the edge of the box. The Croatian’s recent performances have evoked the memory of Pirlo, Kaka and Clarence Seedorf all at the same time.

Of course, there will be a drop-off at some point. Modrić can’t sustain this level forever. The Croatian’s mortality will one day show in his performances. Allegri must also do his best not to over-work the 40-year-old. Rotation will be required. So far, though, Modrić is giving AC Milan exactly what they need.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Serie A on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Luka Modric’s Milan move is more than just a swan song

At 40 years old, Luka Modrić has turned back the clock and rediscovered his best form for AC Milan after joining from Real Madrid in the summer.

By Graham Ruthven

It would be easy to write off Serie A as the retirement home of European football. Kevin De Bruyne’s summer move to Napoli reaffirmed the league’s status as the home of the legendary senior citizen, as did AC Milan’s signing of Luka Modrić. Modrić, however, isn’t ready to retire, as his performances for the Rossoneri have proved.

De Bruyne has also made a good start to life in Italy, but Modric has been on another level so far. The Croatian has started all of AC Milan’s opening four league fixtures, quickly establishing himself as the beating heart of Max Allegri’s new-look midfield. At 40 years old, Modrić is back to his best.

This summer was the right time for Modrić to leave Real Madrid. While the Croatian played over 2,500 minutes in all competitions, the arrival of Xabi Alonso marked a shift in the landscape. Alonso favours a high-energy, high-intensity approach and at such a late stage of Modrić’s career it was suggested he would struggle.

Allegri-ball, however, doesn’t make the same demands of the 40-year-old. Instead, AC Milan are set up to stay compact and deep against the ball, the idea being that by inviting pressure there is more space to attack going the other way when they win possession back. Modrić is the supply line in the centre of the pitch.

Many believed Milan had simply lost too much talent over the summer to be truly competitive in Serie A this season. Tijjani Reijnders departed for Manchester City. Theo Hernández left for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League with Malick Thiaw joining Newcastle United. The trio were first team figures.

€160m was spent on replenishments. Christopher Nkunku, Ardon Jashari, Samuele Ricci, Koni De Winter, Pervis Estupiñán, Zachary Athekame, Adrien Rabiot and David Odogu all arrived at San Siro, some for significant fees. It’s a free agent, however, who has made the biggest impact to date.

Milan needed a new central creator after the loss of Reijnders and Modrić fit the bill. The Croatian can do everything – he can pick a pass, he can shoot from distance and he even has enough left in the tank to beat an opponent on the dribble from time to time. Modrić very much still plays like the best all-round midfielder of his generation.

Modrić’s current player traits comparison against midfielders in top five leagues

“Luka is an extraordinary player and it’s a pleasure to watch him, but he is also a humble guy, like a great champion,” said Allegri when asked to sum up the impression Modrić has made on him and his squad since joining in the summer transfer window. “He knows beforehand where the ball will go, and has such great technique.”

With the likes of Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic in front of him, Modrić has had an outlet for his progressive passing and natural ability for driving the ball forward. It’s no coincidence that Pulisic has also started the season in excellent form, scoring five goals in six appearances (all competitions). The American is already benefiting from Modrić’s presence, as will Leão when he’s back from injury.

This weekend’s meeting with early pace-setters and defending champions Napoli will be the first real test of Allegri’s new-look AC Milan. While the Rossoneri have made an impressive start, and Modrić has been an eye-catching performer, they have enjoyed a favourable run of fixtures to open the campaign.

A win over Napoli would be a statement result. It would be a sign of how Milan have quickly remoulded after a hectic summer and the first indication that they could mount a genuine Scudetto challenge. Modrić certainly deserves to play for a team challenging for Italy’s biggest prizes.

Modrić is leading Milan for accurate passes per 90 minutes this season. Nobody has created more chances than the 40-year-old who is averaging more accurate long balls per 90 minutes than any of his teammates, hinting at how Allegri wants Modrić to play into the attack as quickly as possible. This is a key cornerstone of AC Milan’s approach.

Modrić leads our ratings in the Milan squad

Comparisons have been made to Andrea Pirlo, and yet this still doesn’t do justice to the role Modrić is performing. Pirlo never had the game-breaking ability that Modrić has on the edge of the box. The Croatian’s recent performances have evoked the memory of Pirlo, Kaka and Clarence Seedorf all at the same time.

Of course, there will be a drop-off at some point. Modrić can’t sustain this level forever. The Croatian’s mortality will one day show in his performances. Allegri must also do his best not to over-work the 40-year-old. Rotation will be required. So far, though, Modrić is giving AC Milan exactly what they need.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Serie A on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.