AC Milan caught many by surprise when they signed Luka Modric from Real Madrid last summer, handing the former Ballon d’Or winner a short-term contract at San Siro.
Undoubtedly one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Modric won everything there was to win at the Santiago Bernabeu, forming part of one of Los Merengues’ most iconic generations.
He wasn’t just a part. He was the beating heart of the most trophy-laden team in the history of the world’s most successful club, orchestrating Madrid’s dominance with elegance, intelligence and unmatched consistency.
However, last summer, he bid farewell to his beloved Merengues and made a surprising decision to join Milan, despite their inability to offer UEFA Champions League football.
Modric's first season at AC Milan
Without the distraction of European football, the Rossoneri had hoped to mount a serious title challenge in Serie A, but securing a top-four finish is now the ceiling of their ambitions.
Returning manager Massimiliano Allegri has been unable to steer Milan back on track, with several standout stars, including exit-linked Rafael Leao, performing well below their high standards.
It was a topsy-turvy season for the 19-time Italian champions, but Modric was a rare constant, a shining light in an otherwise inconsistent campaign, bringing composure, leadership and much-needed quality to the Rossoneri midfield.
Despite turning 40 last September, Modric has logged more minutes than in any of his final five seasons at the Bernabeu, registering 33 league appearances.
In fact, he has made 32 Serie A starts, registering two goals and three assists. But Modric’s influence stretches well beyond the numbers. His playmaking brilliance has been crucial to Milan’s top-four push.
Allegri’s side heavily relied on the diminutive superstar before he suffered a season-ending injury against Juventus last time out.
For perspective, Modric has averaged 60.5 passes per game and achieved an impressive 70.43% accuracy with long balls, establishing himself as the architect of Allegri’s tactical set-up.
X-factor
Modric was never the fastest player to begin with. Even at his prime, he relied far more on intelligence, vision and technical superiority than pace.
Over the years, he has mastered his craft, becoming one of the best deep-lying playmakers football has ever seen.
This season, Allegri gave him the freedom to operate on his own, allowing him to dictate the tempo, drop deep to orchestrate attacks, and control matches with composure and authority that have defined his legendary career.
Adrien Rabiot and Youssuf Fofana have both thrived alongside the 2018 World Cup runner-up, benefiting from his positional awareness, precise distribution and ability to bring calmness to Milan’s midfield in high-pressure moments.
With Modric dropping deep to build the play from the back, the French duo enjoyed greater freedom to push forward and influence the game in more advanced areas.
As a result, Rabiot has tallied six goals and five assists, while Fofana boasts five goal contributions in Serie A.
One of a kind
Before signing Modric, Milan had spent over a decade searching for a worthy successor to Andrea Pirlo, and now that he is here, they would be wise to make the most of his presence while it lasts.
Players of Modric’s calibre are a dying species. And it would be impossible for Milan to replace the best Croatian player of all time, even though he is past his prime.
Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari are way off Modric’s standard, as evidenced by their underwhelming performances throughout the season, underlining just how irreplaceable the veteran superstar remains in Allegri’s system.
Injured but expected to recover in time for the 2026 World Cup, Milan would welcome an extension of Modric’s contract for one more season. As the club are on the verge of returning to the Champions League, activating that clause now feels less like a choice and more like a necessity - both to retain his experience in the dressing room and quality on the pitch.
Luckily, as per Gazzetta dello Sport, the player is leaning towards a new deal, with the Rossoneri equally enthusiastic about keeping him on board for one more year.
