Luka Modrić will stay at Milan for another season, the club confirmed on Wednesday evening via their official channels.
The obvious question all summer was whether the 40-year-old would carry on at all or call time on a career that includes a Ballon d'Or and five Champions League titles. That Milan wanted him back after only a handful of months tells you enough about what he has given the dressing room. His original contract looks to have been built with this in mind, structured so that a second year was always on the table rather than a fresh negotiation from scratch.
The renewal came after talks involving Gerry Cardinale, Ruben Amorim and, by all accounts, Modrić's family, whose word carried real weight in the decision.
The role is the interesting part. Modrić is set for a reduced, rotational job next season, managing his minutes at his age while opening the door for Ardon Jashari to step up into the midfield. Milan spent around €35m on the Swiss international this summer, and he is widely seen inside the club as the man who eventually inherits Modrić's spot. Having the Croatian around as a part-time mentor rather than a week-in, week-out starter is close to the ideal handover.
None of it works without the player wanting it, and Modrić does. He has been open about his affection for the club, and with Milan chasing the Scudetto this season, the pull of ending his career with a trophy at the Rossoneri is clearly strong.
For a squad rebuilding under Amorim, keeping a serial winner in the room for one more year is cheap insurance, both on the pitch and in the heads of the younger players learning from him.