Luka Modric Has Successful Cheekbone Surgery

Luka Modric, the 40-year-old Croatian midfielder for AC Milan, underwent successful surgery on Monday to repair a complex fracture of his left cheekbone, sustained during the team's 0-0 draw against Juventus at San Siro Stadium in Milan on Sunday.

The injury occurred in the second half when Modric clashed heads with Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli while contesting a header. He received on-field treatment, left the pitch in the 80th minute holding an ice pack to his face, and remained on the bench until the final whistle. Diagnostic tests confirmed a multifragment fracture of the left zygomatic bone, prompting immediate surgery at La Madonnina Clinic. The procedure, performed by Dr. Luca Autelitano's team with AC Milan's doctors Stefano Mazzoni and Andrea Bulgheroni present, was deemed fully successful, according to the club's statement.

Modric is expected to miss AC Milan's final four Serie A matches against Sassuolo, Atalanta, Genoa, and Cagliari. The team holds third place in the standings with 67 points from 34 games, three points ahead of Juventus and in contention for Champions League qualification. Inter Milan leads the league, followed by Napoli.