Rabat – Luka Modrić underwent successful surgery to repair a fractured left cheekbone sustained during Sunday’s match against Juventus, AC Milan announced on Monday.
The injury occurred at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, during Sunday’s 0-0 draw, when Modrić was forced off with ten minutes remaining following a clash of heads with Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli.
Despite the visible discomfort, the Croatian veteran stayed with the team on the bench until the final whistle, but a later examination confirmed the necessity of an immediate operation.
“AC Milan announces that Luka Modrić underwent surgery today at the La Madonnina Clinic in Milan. Surgery was required to treat a complex, multi-fragment fracture of the left zygomatic bone,” the Italian club said in its statement earlier today.
“The operation, performed by Dr. Luca Autelitano’s team in the presence of AC Milan’s own doctors Stefano Mazzoni and Andrea Bulgheroni, was completely successful.” Losing Modrić is a huge blow for AC Milan as they enter the final part of the season. His experience and skill in midfield have been crucial for the team, especially in their biggest games.
The Croatian midfielder joined Milan in July 2025, arriving as a free agent after his contract with Real Madrid expired.
He signed a one-year deal running until June 2026, which includes an option to extend for another year. The move was highly anticipated, as Modrić had been linked to a move to Italy for years, and he officially made the switch following the conclusion of the 2025 Club World Cup.
The 40-year-old has made 33 appearances in Serie A with Milan this season, scoring two goals and providing three assists.
Milan currently sits in third place in Serie A with 67 points from 34 matches following Sunday’s scoreless draw against Juventus. While they trail league leaders Inter Milan and second-place Napoli, they maintain a narrow three-point lead over Juventus.
