Modrić, 40, Continues to Shine for AC Milan

Luka Modrić, at 40 years old, is proving his enduring value to AC Milan, demonstrating that age is merely a number when it comes to footballing prowess. In Milan's opening Serie A match against Torino, a 2-1 away victory, Modrić entered the game in the 56th minute with the score tied at 0-0. His presence on the field, alongside Adrien Rabiot, was immediately felt, significantly elevating Milan's midfield play.

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He takes charge practically as soon as he steps onto the touchline waiting to come on. He gives footballing lessons and reads the game, as usual.

Italian media outlets widely lauded Modrić's impact. Corriere della Sera specifically credited Milan's coach, Ruben Amorim, for the decisive tactical move of introducing Modrić and Rabiot, stating their entry "tipped the scales" of the match. The publication noted Modrić's ability to "dictate play practically as soon as he steps onto the touchline," offering "footballing lessons" and demonstrating his exceptional game reading. SportMediaset echoed this sentiment, awarding Modrić a rating of 6.5 and emphasizing how the team's performance surged after his introduction, leading to two quick goals.

Even as he approaches his 41st birthday on September 9, Modrić's influence extends beyond Italy. Spanish sports newspaper Marca dedicated a special report to his performance, acknowledging his legendary status at Real Madrid, where he became the club's most decorated player with 28 titles. Marca highlighted Modrić's ability to "turn the game around in two minutes," adding, "We don't know when he will decide to stop, but while he's playing, we should continue to enjoy Luka."

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The match was turned around by Modrić's entry in two minutes. We don't know when he will decide to stop, but while he's playing, we should continue to enjoy Luka.

While Sky Sport offered a slightly more reserved rating of 6 for Modrić, Eurosport also recognized his game-changing impact. The Croatian captain's continued ability to influence matches at the highest level underscores his remarkable career longevity and his status as a vital player for AC Milan.

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Even without anything particularly spectacular, just by his presence on the field, Milan went from zero to two goals.