Luka Modrić to Undergo Cheekbone Surgery – Will He Recover in Time for 2026 World Cup?
The 40-year-old Croatian midfielder will undergo surgery for a fractured cheekbone sustained in an AC Milan match, sidelining him for the rest of the season but expected to recover before the 2026 World Cup.
AC Milan has announced that Luka Modrić, the legendary Croatian national team midfielder, requires surgery to treat a fractured cheekbone suffered in a Series A match against Juventus last weekend. The injury occurred after a collision with Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli, with medical examinations confirming multiple fractures on his left cheekbone. While the 40-year-old is expected to miss the remainder of the current season due to the typical 6-8 week recovery period for such injuries, he should recover in time for the 2026 World Cup. Croatian national team coach Zlatko Dalić expressed confidence, stating: "I believe he will do everything necessary to prepare himself for the World Cup, and we will provide him full support. I'm confident that Luka will remain our team leader at the tournament this summer."