BREAKING: Modric suffers severe injury, receives verdict on 2026 World Cup

Following a horrific collision resulting in a double cheekbone fracture during the draw against Juventus, Luka Modric was forced to undergo emergency surgery, officially ending his brilliant season with AC Milan.

The epic clash between AC Milan and Juventus at San Siro has recently left a painful scar for Rossoneri fans. Luka Modric, the soul of Milan's play this season, suffered a serious injury after a aerial duel with Manuel Locatelli. The impact was so severe that the Croatian legend lost consciousness on the pitch and had to leave the field with an ice pack covering his face.

According to the latest updated information from Sky Sport Italia, medical examination results on Monday confirmed Modric suffered a fracture of the left cheekbone. Furthermore, the Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti stated that this is a case of "double cheekbone fracture". Given the severity, doctors have instructed the 40-year-old midfielder to undergo surgery immediately within the next few hours to reconstruct the facial bone structure.

This injury means that the 2025-2026 Serie A season for Modric has officially concluded. This is an irreplaceable loss for Milan, because despite being in his forties, Modric has demonstrated superior class by participating in all 34 matches this season.

His absence in the final four rounds against Sassuolo, Atalanta, Genoa, and Cagliari will be a tough challenge for the ambitions of the red-black team. Additionally, his future at San Siro is also uncertain as his current contract only has a few months remaining.

However, amidst the gloomy news, fans of the Croatian national team received optimistic signals. Medical reports indicate that Modric still has the potential to fully recover in time to participate in the upcoming World Cup. The newspaper Sportske Novosti writes: "The captain will play, likely with a protective mask. It is still unclear how he will recover: through surgery or conservative treatment".

The early surgery is seen as a strategic move to allow Modric sufficient rest time before joining the national team. The image of Modric wearing a protective mask to lead his teammates at the planet's biggest football festival is likely to become a symbol of the eternal warrior spirit of this "veteran".