Modric close to retirement as Milan contract expires

Modric on the brink

Luka Modric is close to calling time on his career. His AC Milan contract expires in days, and by all accounts, the 40-year-old doesn't have the motivation to keep going at the top level. The end of the season with Milan didn't go as planned, and retirement now feels closer than ever.

What this means for Croatia

Modric's likely exit closes the book on the greatest career any Croatian footballer has ever had. The captain recently scored in a 2–1 friendly win over Slovenia, possibly his last appearance on home soil. Zlatko Dalic embraced him afterward, everyone knew what that moment meant. Now the focus shifts fully to blending the next generation, with Luka Vušković among those expected to step up, into a squad that has made deep runs in back-to-back World Cups.

Fan reactions

The mood among Croatia supporters is heavy. The Reddit thread is filled with tributes, not shock, just gratitude and sadness. Most knew this day was coming, but seeing it confirmed hits differently. One poster simply called it the end of an era, and it's hard to argue. Full discussion here.