Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Real Madrid, has opened the door to a possible contract renewal for Luka Modric, suggesting that the Croatian maestro could continue playing at the elite level until the age of 40.

'Modric Should Stay as Long as He Wants'

Following Real Madrid’s victory over Girona—a match in which Modric scored a stunning goal to open the scoring at the Santiago Bernabéu—Ancelotti expressed his admiration for the 38-year-old midfielder.

“Modric should stay as long as he wants. He’s a gift to football,” Ancelotti declared.

The Italian manager praised Modric’s longevity and exceptional quality:

“Modric is a great gift for football. He should keep playing as long as he wants because what he does, he does incredibly well. Real Madrid is lucky to have a legend who has marked an era, and football as a whole benefits from his talent and professionalism,” he added.

Drawing Parallels with Paolo Maldini

Ancelotti also drew comparisons between Modric and another footballing legend he coached—Paolo Maldini—who lifted the Champions League trophy at 40 while playing for AC Milan.

“I have an example of another 40-year-old who won the Champions League—Maldini. Both players can be compared in terms of what a footballer should aspire to be. They are fantastic examples,” Ancelotti noted.

He emphasized the key factors that have allowed both players to extend their careers at the highest level:

“It’s no coincidence they’ve reached this age and still play at the top. Genetics play a part, but more importantly, it’s about seriousness, commitment, and attitude. That’s how Maldini did it, and that’s how Modric will too,” Ancelotti concluded.