40 years old still running well

In a football world where age often means decline, Luka Modri ​​has emerged as a miraculous exception, a tireless machine rewriting history at the age of 40.

Just months after leaving Real Madrid – where he spent 13 years carving out his name in legend – the Croatian midfielder has turned AC Milan into a new stage where his talent not only shines but also changes the landscape of Serie A.

EFE - Modric Milan.jpg
Modric immediately shone in Serie A. Photo: EFE/EPA

With a steady rhythm like an endless symphony, Modri ​​c is leading the Rossoneri to the top of the rankings, with experience becoming the sharpest weapon.

Let's rewind a bit to better understand this extraordinary journey.

In the 2024/25 season, Modri ​​c set a personal record with 76 matches in all competitions - a number that makes even young stars afraid.

Modric played 64 games for Real Madrid, where he remains the soul of the midfield despite Carlo Ancelotti prioritizing the new generation (Xabi Alonso is in charge of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup) , and 12 games for Croatia, the team he leads as captain.

It was the first season since 2018/19 that Modric did not miss a game due to injury, a testament to the extraordinary endurance of the midfielder born in 1985 in Zadar, under the bombs of war.

Federico Valverde, his successor at Madrid, leads the way in minutes played with 6,676, but Modri ​​c , with 4,376, has proven that quality always trumps quantity.

Now, in Serie A, he continues that journey, as if time were just an abstract concept.

Moving to Milan, Modri ​​had very little time to practice because of the rest after the Club World Cup, but quickly integrated into coach Massimiliano Allegri's system.

EFE - Modric Milan 4.jpg
Age cannot stop Modric. Photo: EFE/EPA

He played all five Serie A matches in 2025/26 , all of which were performances that left Italian fans in awe.

Conquer Serie A

Modric scored 1 goal and 1 assist during this time. The moment he volleyed into the net to give Milan a narrow victory over Bologna was described by the Italian press as “ as beautiful as a Renaissance painting ”.

The strike in the Bologna match was historic: Modric became the oldest midfielder to score in Serie A – 40 years and 5 days.

Before that, Modric assisted Loftus-Cheek to score against host Lecce, opening a 2-0 victory for Milan. It was also the first win for coach Allegri with the Rossoneri in Serie A in the new term.

In the most recent match, although he did not score or assist, it was Modric's role that helped Milan beat Napoli despite playing with 10 men, to top the Serie A table. In that match, Lukita "pocketed" Kevin de Bruyne - forcing Antonio Conte to replace the Belgian player, making him unhappy.

The data speaks to Modric's importance: he leads in successful passes (300) ; successful passes in the opposition half (169); breaking passes (46 ) ; possession regained (31) ; interceptions (10) .

Modric's presence isn't just about numbers; it's about charisma. At 40, he captivates Serie A with his flair, his one-touch passes that tear apart defences, and his self-effacing smile after every goal.

EFE - Modric Milan 2.jpg
Modric's football is art. Photo: EFE/EPA

Milan, with the rhythm of Lukita, have reason to hope that the season ends with a performance surpassing the initial target of the top 4 of Serie A.

Allegri was full of praise: “Modric doesn't play football; he controls it. He brings the calmness and stability we have been lacking for a long time.”

Italian critics, notoriously tough, now call him “Il Maestro Croato” (The Croatian Maestro), a comparison to legends like Andrea Pirlo or Xavi. However, his stamina is far superior.

This weekend, the real challenge arrives: Milan visit Allianz Stadium, facing Juventus under coach Igor Tudor (1:45 am, October 6).

Juventus are playing powerful football, having won 4-3 against Inter and drawn 4-4 against Dortmund. Milan tifosi are waiting for Modric's trivela, helping Milan conquer Turin with artistic style.

People call Modric the man without lungs. He always plays with the spirit as if this is his last match, with tireless legs and an indomitable heart. Serie A is intoxicated with the Lukita dance.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/luka-modric-bay-cao-voi-milan-nghe-thuat-chinh-phuc-serie-a-2448816.html