Speaking in a recent interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, the AC Milan midfielder made his feelings clear. “Does it annoy me to hear people constantly talking about my age? It’s not that it bothers me or makes me angry, but it’s tiring to hear,” he said.
The Croatian international, who turns 41 later this month, noted that the narrative is far from new. “This discourse began in 2019, after the World Cup, when I was 33 years old,” Modrić explained. At the time, questions were already being raised about how much longer he could continue at the highest level.
Since then, the former Real Madrid star has continued to defy expectations. He won further Champions League titles with the Spanish giants, reached another World Cup podium with Croatia, and maintained a high level of performance well into his late thirties and beyond.
Modrić insisted that chronological age should not be the primary measure of a player’s worth. “It doesn’t matter if you’re 18, 30, 40, or 50. It doesn’t matter. If you demonstrate on the field, day after day, that you can compete, I think that’s what should matter,” he stated.
He concluded with a familiar refrain: “Age is just a number to me.”
The comments come as Modrić settles into his second season with AC Milan after leaving Real Madrid. The Ballon d’Or winner has remained a key figure in midfield for both club and country, captaining Croatia at the 2026 World Cup and continuing to feature regularly in Serie A.
Throughout his career, Modrić has built a reputation for exceptional longevity, underpinned by meticulous preparation and an enduring passion for the game. While he acknowledges that the end of his playing days is closer than it once was, he maintains that his body, rather than external opinion, will dictate when he stops.
For now, the veteran midfielder remains focused on proving his value on the pitch — one match at a time.