At 40 years outdated, Luka Modrić retains proving soccer doesn’t at all times observe the principles of age. Since Softfootball introduced his signing to AC Milan from Actual Madrid in August, the Croatian maestro has stormed into the 2025/26 Serie A season, main the league in profitable passes, line-breaking balls, possession regained, and even interceptions after simply 5 matchdays. Not dangerous for a person many thought was long gone his prime.
Since becoming a member of AC Milan, Modrić has began all 4 of his Serie A video games, taking part in 335 minutes and incomes MVP honours in victories over Lecce and Bologna. His affect has been immediate calm on the ball, intelligent off it, and someway in all places without delay.
In Milan’s 2–0 win at Lecce, the veteran midfielder notched 54 correct passes, an help, a sort out, and an interception. Towards Bologna, he went one higher, scoring the decisive purpose whereas finishing 37 of 44 passes (84%) and successful 4 tackles. That show drew heavy reward from pundits on The Completely Soccer Present in a video uploaded by way of the podcast’s official X account, who marvelled at his vitality and soccer IQ.
The host mentioned:
So, within the first 5 matchdays of Serie A this season, Luka Modrić ranks 1st for profitable passes, first for profitable passes within the opposition half, first for line-breaking passes, first for possessions gained again, and first for interceptions.
His sports activities analyst additional pressured:
As Rabiot mentioned after the sport, I don’t know the way he does it. He’s 40 and taking part in 100 minutes. We’re all the way down to 10 males, and he’s there operating, intercepting balls, screened by defence, stepping into Napoli. For a 40-year-old man to nonetheless be capable to go previous gamers simply by being cleverer than them, type of doing a physique shift right here, a feint there, rolling his physique and getting previous — it’s wonderful.
Watch the video beneath:
For a participant who as soon as confronted rejection for being “too small” and grew up amid war-torn Croatia, Modrić’s story has at all times been about defying odds. Now, beneath Massimiliano Allegri, he’s greater than only a signing — he’s Milan’s mind in midfield, changing the creativity misplaced with Tijjani Reijnders’ exit.
And but, watching him glide throughout the pitch, you’d by no means guess he’s 40. Perhaps time listens when Modrić has the ball
