'It's home' – Luka Modric reveals Real Madrid return 'would be a dream'

9 Oct 2026 07:32 BST 2 min read

Suraj Radia | Editor

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Luka Modric has admitted a return to Real Madrid would be a ‘dream’, with the Milan veteran still open to extending his career beyond this season.

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Modric left Madrid for Milan last year and the 41-year-old has continued to be a regular star in Serie A, prompting speculation that he could return to Los Blancos in the future after their struggles to sign a midfielder to replace him.

While Modric has insisted he still happy in Milan and not making a decision on his long-term future, the Croatian revealed he still ‘misses’ Madrid and sees it as his ‘home’.

“A return to Real Madrid? Of course I’d like to come back. It’s my home,” Modric told Partidazo de Cope via TuttoSport. “It’s the club of my life. I was there for 13 years, but we’ll see what happens. I have to prepare myself and understand what role I can play or if the club wants me back.

“Many things have to go right for me to return, it would be a dream, but for now I’m not thinking about it. We mustn’t force anything. It has to be something where I feel useful. I told [Jose] Mourinho that he’s at the club he deserves, because he’s one of the biggest.

“I speak to many players and people at the club. I think they have a fantastic team and that they can turn things around, they have character and quality. They have everything they need to turn things around. I miss Madrid, but I still feel good in Milan. They’ve welcomed me very well and I’m trying to give my all.”

Modric ‘feeling good’ amid speculation linking 41-year-old with Real Madrid return

Modric spent 13 years at Real Madrid, making nearly 600 appearances and winning 28 titles with the club before he was released in 2025 despite still being a regular player in the first team.

Real Madrid had been hoping to replace him with a younger midfielder but, more than a year on, the club have struggled to find someone with his skillset and experience.

© IMAGO - Luka Modric has been a regular for Milan.

Modric has thrived in Milan, playing in 34 games Serie A games last season and scoring twice, while he has featured in every match under Ruben Amorim this year also.

“I feel good. I still have passion, ambition, and strength,” Modric said. “As long as I feel like this, I want to keep playing. How long? I don't know. It could be two months, six months, a year... I don't want to say something now and regret it later.

“I'll take it one step at a time, game by game. One month, another month... I have to listen to my body, and then I'll decide calmly. We'll see if this will be my last year or if I'll continue longer, but I feel good."