MODRIC UNDERGOES CHEEKBONE SURGERY JUST WEEKS BEFORE CROATIA’S OPENING MATCH
AC Milan and Croatia legend Luka Modric has undergone surgery following a clash of heads. We look at his path to World Cup fitness.
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Luka Modric, AC Milan’s Croatian midfield legend, just had surgery after fracturing his cheekbone, an injury that couldn’t have come at a worse time, with the World Cup so close. He picked up the injury in a tough Serie A match against Juventus, sending his World Cup hopes up in the air.
Modric, who’s been a rock for Milan this season, clashed heads with Manuel Locatelli during Sunday’s 0-0 draw at San Siro. It was one of those moments where you just know something’s wrong. He had to come off with ten minutes left, clearly in some pain, but stayed on the sidelines until the final whistle, not wanting to leave his teammates behind. After the match, scans showed he’d fractured his left cheekbone, which meant immediate surgery.
This setback couldn’t have come at a worse time. Modric is gearing up for what’s probably his last World Cup as Croatia’s captain. Still, his national team coach, Zlatko Dalic, sounds confident. He recently spoke with Luka, wished him a quick recovery, and said he believes Modric will do everything possible to get fit before the World Cup. Dalic is convinced his captain will bounce back and lead Croatia once again this summer.
For Milan, though, that pretty much ends Modric’s club season. With just four games left and Milan trailing Inter by twelve points, it’s hard to see him making another league appearance. That’s a tough pill to swallow after such a strong year. He’s started 32 out of 34 matches, showing he can still hang with the best at 40. Modric’s contract runs out this summer, but he can choose to stay for another year if he wants.
So what now? Croatia start their World Cup campaign against England on June 17, then face Ghana and Panama. If Modric heals in time, he’ll probably have to play wearing one of those carbon-fibre masks you see nowadays when players come back from facial injuries. The Croatian team still hopes he’ll be fully fit before the tournament kicks off. There's a seven-week window, so fingers crossed.
For Modric, this summer could be the last shot at the biggest stage in football. The next few weeks are all about rehab and recovery, and honestly, pretty much everyone’s going to be watching to see if he makes it back for one more run at glory.
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
