“I feel good. I still have passion, ambition and strength. As long as I feel like this, I want to keep playing,” Modric said.
“How long will it be? I don’t know. It could be two months, six months, a year. I don’t want to say something now and then regret it.”
The Croatia captain added that he will decide gradually, listening to his body before determining whether this season will be his last.
“I have to listen to my body and then I will decide calmly. We will see if this is my last year or if I continue, but I feel good,” he said.
Modric’s longevity has also earned admiration beyond the clubs and country he has represented. He was given a standing ovation by supporters at Sevilla’s Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan during the international break, an honour he admitted he did not expect.
“I was very grateful to the Sevilla fans. I know that many people love me. Receiving that ovation in an international match was incredible. I was left speechless,” Modric said.
Modric also reflected on Lionel Messi, who is preparing to leave Argentina, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation with Portugal.
“What can I say about Messi? It is a shame that he is saying goodbye to his national team, but it is his decision and we have to respect it,” Modric said. “He won the World Cup he wanted. He is one of the best players in the world and it has been a pleasure to watch him play, although I suffered a lot against him with the national team and Real Madrid. He is a unique player.”
He also expressed sympathy for Ronaldo, with whom he spent years as a Real Madrid team-mate.
“I have not spoken to him and I don’t know exactly what happened. It is a shame what is happening with him in his country, but I think they will find a solution. Cris deserves it. If he is not going to continue, he deserves a great farewell. I hope it is resolved because he is the greatest player in Portugal,” Modric said.
Despite remaining focused on AC Milan, Modric has not ruled out a return to Real Madrid, where he spent 13 years.
“Of course I would like to return. It is my home. It is the club of my life,” he said. “A lot of things have to happen for me to return. It would be a dream, but for now I am not thinking about it. We should not force anything. It has to be something where I feel useful.”