Luka Modric to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Modrić fans. Speculation had been rife that Ballon d'Or 2018 will announce his retirement from sports, at age 40, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 20/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a footballer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a footballer just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouLuka

For a little while on Thursday evening, #ThankYouLuka was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouLuka.”
— @DesireePlum, 19 Mar 2026

“Didn't Luka Modric retire about 3 years ago?”
— @samy2love, 19 Mar 2026

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