Football fans have been asking the same question for years, usually with a mix of dread and awe: where is Modric going once the lights finally dim at the Bernabéu?
Honestly, we all thought he’d retire in a white shirt. It felt like the only right ending. But football rarely does "perfect endings" anymore. After 13 seasons and a trophy cabinet that would make most small countries jealous, Luka Modrić didn't just walk away into the sunset. He chose a different path—one that’s currently playing out in the red and black of Milan.
The Milan chapter is real
It’s 2026. The Croatian maestro is 40 years old. Read that again. Most midfielders are three years into a coaching badge or a comfortable punditry gig by this age. Instead, Modrić is currently navigating the tactical labyrinths of Serie A.
He signed that one-year deal with AC Milan in the summer of 2025, right after the FIFA Club World Cup. People thought it was a "retirement tour." They were wrong. He's been central to their midfield, proving that while the legs might not cover 12km a game anymore, the brain still operates on a higher frequency than anyone else on the pitch. His contract runs until June 2026, with a cheeky option to extend it for another year.
🔗 Read more: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different
But if you’re looking for where is Modric going next, the horizon is shifting toward North America.
The 2026 World Cup is the true north
Why is he still playing? It’s not for the money. If he wanted a payday, he would have accepted the astronomical Al Nassr offers that hovered around him for two years.
He’s still here because of the 2026 World Cup.
💡 You might also like: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
Zlatko Dalić has basically kept the captain’s armband warm for him. Modrić wants one last dance on the global stage in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. To do that, he needed to stay in Europe’s top five leagues to keep his sharp edge. Moving to a "slower" league too early would have been a gamble for his national team spot.
Life after the final whistle
So, what happens when the 2026 World Cup ends? That’s where things get interesting.
The most credible reports—coming out of Defensa Central and sources close to Florentino Pérez—suggest the return to Madrid is already a "done deal," just not as a player.
📖 Related: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
- The Sabbatical: Word is Luka wants a full year off. No training. No travel. Just time with his family after two decades of constant pressure.
- The Real Madrid Return: He has reportedly accepted an offer to return to the Valdebebas as either a youth coach or a global club ambassador.
- The Dinamo Dream: There’s still a romantic subset of fans in Zagreb holding out hope for a six-month "homecoming" stint at Dinamo Zagreb. It’s a nice thought, but Milan’s current intensity suggests he’d rather go out at the top than fade away in a lower-tier league.
What most people get wrong
People assume he’s "slowing down." Watch a Milan match. You’ll see he’s adapted. He’s basically playing the game in 4D now—positioning himself where the ball will be in three seconds so he doesn't have to sprint for it.
He’s also been incredibly smart about his body. He’s sort of like Messi in that regard; he picks his moments. He isn't trying to be the box-to-box engine anymore. He's the conductor.
Actionable insights for fans
If you want to catch the final act of this legendary career, here is what you need to do:
- Watch Serie A now: This current season at AC Milan is likely his last full campaign as a guaranteed starter in a top-flight European league.
- Track the 2026 Qualifiers: Watch how Dalić manages his minutes. It's the best indicator of whether he’ll extend his Milan contract for that optional second year or go into the World Cup as a free agent.
- Ignore the "Saudi rumors": At this stage, it's highly unlikely. He’s prioritized legacy and family over the final big paycheck several times already.
The "where is Modric going" saga is finally nearing its conclusion, and it looks like it ends exactly where his heart is: split between a final triumph with Croatia and a permanent office at Real Madrid.