Who would have thought? 40-year-old Modric played the entire game with zero transfer fee! 160 million new players but still in the adaptation period

When Modric joined AC Milan at the age of 40, the outside world generally regarded this as a decent farewell performance. Age seems to be an insurmountable gap, but Magic Flute uses actions to redefine the meaning of "veteran". Social media is full of ridicule: "Milan signed another nursing home man?" "Can you still run at the age of 40?" However, Modric's response was never in words, but in every minute on the green field.

In the third round of Serie A, AC Milan played against Bologna. In the 61st minute, Markles made a cross. Modric moved forward like a ghost and hit the dead center with a precise push! The whole audience was excited. At 40 years and 5 days old, he set a new Serie A record and became the oldest midfielder to score a goal. The commentator shouted passionately: "He is not 40 years old, he is eternal!"

In the draw with Pisa, Modric played for 90 minutes, touched the ball 121 times, made 104 passes, with a success rate of 97%, 4 key passes, 1 assist, and 8 long passes, and his post-match rating of 9.2 was the highest in the game. The data is amazing: this is not retirement data, but peak reappearance. Albertini commented: "Modric brings stability to Milan and makes his teammates better." Kroos added: "His football intelligence never gets old, because it comes from wisdom, not physical strength."

Against Atlanta, the Magic Flute once again competed throughout the game, with a success rate of 92% in 50 passes, two steals, and two interceptions, perfectly performing the art of "playing with the brain." He doesn't need to run wildly, he just controls the rhythm and leads the team to breathe like a conductor. Some people say that his passing is like a symphony conductor. When his young teammates are panicking, he makes a pass with ease, and the ball path opens up with a smooth rhythm. Experience has become his sharpest weapon.

Others of the same age may retire as commentators or go to Saudi Arabia or MLS to retire, but Magic Flute chose the cruel battlefield of Serie A to start the journey again. Milan spent 160 million to introduce new stars, but only Modric, who was exempt from the visa, immediately shined: starting all 8 league games, playing in 6 games, and winning two MVPs. Fans joked: "He is not a signing, he is a system." Serie A officials even proposed setting up a "Best Player in Serie A" award.

On the training ground, he has no pretensions, coaching rookies, guiding moves, and comforting frustrated young players. The young player said frankly: "With him around, I feel at ease." This is the inheritance of the spirit: the 40-year-old veteran will explain what a career is with his calmness, focus and attitude.

When the world is talking about Mbappe and Haaland, the Magic Flute is quietly writing another kind of greatness - not relying on speed, but shining through persistence. When asked why he did not retire, he replied with a smile: "Because I still enjoy the joy of playing football." Behind the whisper is the physical proof in every game: a true veteran does not live by memories, but continues to write history.

He rejects the "legend" label because it means the end; what he wants is to continue running, passing, and winning. In 2025, Milan spent 370 million yuan on signings, but the most valuable player is a 40-year-old veteran with zero transfer fee. People call it a miracle, but he knows: this is not a miracle, but love.

When the final whistle sounded, the Magic Flute was the first to walk towards the fans and pat his palms. At that moment, doubts, labels and prejudices were all shattered gracefully in the applause. Age may slow you down, but it cannot stop you. Modric made this statement with both feet.