Fakayejo Paul
AC Milan have confirmed that Luka Modrić will play no further part in the 2025–26 season after undergoing successful surgery to repair a complex, multi-fragment fracture of his left cheekbone.
The Injury and Procedure
The 40-year-old midfielder sustained the injury during a heavy, accidental clash of heads with Juventus’ Manuel Locatelli in the 80th minute of Sunday’s 0-0 draw at the San Siro.
Following medical evaluations on Monday, the club confirmed that surgical intervention was required to address the severity of the fracture.
The operation, performed at the La Madonnina Clinic in Milan, was declared a complete success.
Recovery and World Cup Outlook
While Modrić is expected to be sidelined for approximately six to eight weeks, there is significant optimism regarding his availability for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins on June 11.
- Club Absence: He will miss Milan’s final four Serie A matches as they look to secure a Champions League qualification spot.
- Return to Pitch: Medical staff believe that with a steady recovery, he should be fit to lead Croatia as captain in North America.
- Protective Measures: It is highly likely that Modrić will join a long line of players who have successfully returned to action wearing a specialized protective face mask to ensure the integrity of the fracture site during physical play.
Everyone in the football community wishes Luka a smooth and speedy recovery.
Do you think Modrić’s experience will allow him to adapt quickly to wearing a protective mask, or could it impact his performance as Croatia’s midfield commander?