AC Milan Prepares One Year Extension for Luka Modric Following Season Ending Facial Injury

AC Milan prepares to activate a one-year extension for Luka Modric until 2027, following a stellar 32-start season despite a recent cheekbone fracture.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 1, 2026, 9:18 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from YSScores

A Strategic Extension Amidst Physical Setback

The decision to offer Luka Modric a contract renewal comes at a moment of personal physical adversity for the veteran midfielder. During a high-stakes Serie A encounter against Juventus on April 26, 2026, Modric sustained a multi-fragmentary fracture of the left zygomatic bone after a forceful aerial collision with Manuel Locatelli. While the injury required immediate surgical intervention at the La Madonnina Clinic and has effectively ended his domestic season, AC Milan executives have signaled their intent to activate a contractual extension clause. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Rossoneri view the extension as a testament to Modric's invaluable leadership and technical contribution rather than a risk associated with his age or recent injury.

Defying the Biological Clock at the San Siro

Modric’s debut season in Milan has been nothing short of transformative for the club’s midfield dynamics. At 40 years old, the Croatian international has displayed remarkable durability, starting in 32 of Milan’s 34 league matches and accumulating 2,788 minutes of competitive action. This workload remarkably exceeds the playing time he recorded in any of his final five seasons at Real Madrid, silencing critics who questioned his fitness levels upon his free transfer arrival in July 2025. His ability to dictate the tempo of matches has earned him a consistent 7.6 average rating, placing him among the elite central midfielders in the Italian top flight this season.

The Allegri Factor and Champions League Ambitions

Central to the negotiation for a further year is the stability provided by coach Massimiliano Allegri, who has integrated Modric as the undisputed "maestro" of his tactical setup. Modric has reportedly expressed a strong desire to continue under Allegri’s tutelage, particularly with the objective of competing in the Champions League during the 2026/2027 season. The midfielder’s representatives have indicated that his approval of the extension is likely, as he wishes to conclude his illustrious career at a historic venue like the San Siro while maintaining a high level of competitive relevance on the European stage.