Modric dropping Real Madrid hints after Milan message

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated May 30, 2026 12:06 PM ET

Luka Modric has not yet decided what he’ll do next season, but is dropping hints he will retire after playing for Milan, returning to Real Madrid as a director.

The midfielder only came to San Siro last summer as a free agent after his lengthy career with the Merengues, proving he’s more than still got enough to make an impact.

He scored two goals and provided three assists in 37 competitive appearances, only really ruled out by an impact injury when suffering a facial fracture in a clash of heads with Juventus player Manuel Locatelli.

However, he cannot deny the passage of time and will turn 41 in September, so has to consider what to do next.

Modric ready to hang up his boots

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 24: Luka Modric of AC Milan looks on after the Serie A match between AC Milan and Cagliari Calcio at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Retirement is a distinct possibility and Modric has been dropping a few hints that his time at Milan might be over already.

Firstly he released an Instagram message thanking the Milan supporters for this season, leaving open-ended whether it would be a mere show of gratitude, or a farewell.

Then his Instagram Stories included an image of him hugging Real Madrid President Florentino Perez, with two white hearts representing their jersey.

The reports from Gazzetta dello Sport suggest now that Modric could return to Real Madrid in a directorial role, where he played from 2012 to 2025.

It would be a reunion with Jose Mourinho, who also seems to be on his way back to the Bernabeu.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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