A.C. Milan Wiretap

Luka Modric signed a contract extension Thursday to remain with AC Milan for another season. The Croatia midfielder, who will turn 41 in September, joined the Rossoneri on a free transfer in 2025 after leaving Real Madrid and made 37 appearances last season, scoring two goals.

Modric addressed the extension in a club statement.

"I am thrilled to stay at AC Milan, where you made me feel welcomed and loved from the very first day," said Modric. "After a season below our expectations, the desire to bounce back is immense. A new season and a new challenge await us, a project I believe in and that motivates me. I am ready to continue to give everything again for this shirt and I am so proud to keep wearing these colours."

The announcement came shortly after Modric returned from his fifth World Cup, where he started all four of Croatia's matches and surpassed 200 international appearances. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner remained on the field for 109 minutes when Croatia's tournament ended in a controversial 2-1 round-of-32 loss to Portugal that included a disallowed goal.

Milan described Modric's continued presence at the club in its statement.

"One of the finest and most iconic players in world football, the Croatian will continue his journey in the Rossoneri shirt," Milan said.

Milan finished fifth in Serie A during Modric's debut season at San Siro and will compete in the Europa League this year under new manager Ruben Amorim.

New York City FC confirmed interest in signing Christian Pulisic but acknowledged AC Milan has no intention of selling the American star. NYCFC president Brad Sims addressed the situation Thursday at a Major League Soccer event promoting the league's return.

"If you ask any of my 29 counterparts across the league if they would be interested in having Christian Pulisic on their team, I'm pretty sure you'd get 29 yesses," said Sims.

ESPN reported last month that Milan had already rejected an approach from NYCFC for Pulisic. His current contract runs through June 2027, with a club option to extend the deal an additional year. Pulisic currently has a $46 million valuation, according to Transfermarkt. There would also be significant commercial benefits for Pulisic to play in MLS.

Sims acknowledged the pursuit remains unlikely given Milan's stance.

"Would MLS from a league standpoint love to have Christian Pulisic here? I think the answer to that would be yes," said Sims. "If AC Milan doesn't want to give him up, then it's dead in the water. And so I think ultimately we're believers that Christian wants to play in MLS, wants to be back home and at whatever the point in time that is, we would think and hope that New York City FC would be very high on his list of teams that he would want to play for."

Pulisic, an attacking midfielder from Hershey, Pennsylvania, turns 28 in September. He joined Milan three years ago following stints at Borussia Dortmund from 2016-19 and Chelsea from 2019-23. He has scored 33 goals in 90 international appearances but endured a difficult World Cup, failing to score and recording just one assist while battling injuries throughout the tournament.

Pulisic missed one U.S. match entirely and exited two others early, ultimately fracturing his right leg during the round-of-16 loss to Belgium.

"I felt really good this summer with the guys and I thought my level was high," said Pulisic. "It's disappointing I didn't quite have the moments I was hoping to and to try to help us to get over this next step of beating a really good team."

Pulisic scored 10 goals in his first 15 appearances for Milan last season but finished the campaign in a career-worst scoreless stretch, failing to find the net in 19 matches after Dec. 28.

Christian Pulisic sustained a bone bruise and microfracture in his leg during the United States' 4-1 World Cup loss to Belgium, according to sources briefed on the diagnosis who spoke with The Athletic. The forward is expected to miss several weeks, though not months.

Pulisic appeared to suffer the injury in the 52nd minute after his shot attempt collided with Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans' leg. He continued playing for several minutes before being substituted in the 59th minute.

"I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play," said Pulisic following the match.

Medical evaluations later confirmed the injury as a bone bruise and microfracture of the tibia and fibula, according to sources. Pulisic was seen using crutches at the team hotel the following day.

The recovery timeline suggests Pulisic could return to action in August, potentially in time for AC Milan's Serie A opener against Torino on August 23.

This marked Pulisic's second injury of the tournament. He previously left the Paraguay match at halftime with a calf injury that also sidelined him against Australia, before returning for the Turkey match and starting against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Pulisic drew criticism following his postgame comments to Fox regarding the injury.

"It's just frustrating to end like that, of course, but now I have time to rest, so hopefully it'll be OK," said Pulisic.

Former USWNT star Carli Lloyd criticized the remarks on social media.

"You rest when your playing career is over. Period," wrote Lloyd.

AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim addressed Pulisic's situation Wednesday, expressing confidence in the winger heading into next season.

"I know he had some criticism after the World Cup elimination, but I am here to say we believe a lot in him, and have a clear plan to use all the qualities that he has," said Amorim. "Pulisic is really important for us."

Christian Pulisic said he was disappointed in his own performance following the United States' 4-1 loss to Belgium in the World Cup round of 16, an exit that saw him depart early with injury.

The AC Milan forward was substituted in the 59th minute after suffering a right ankle injury, replaced by Sebastian Berhalter. Pulisic went down in visible pain after a challenge with Belgium's Youri Tielemans, though no foul was called.

"I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play," said Pulisic. "I mean, whatever. I have time to rest. It's just unfortunate way to finish."

The injury marked Pulisic's second of the tournament. He also battled a calf issue after a strong start against Paraguay, ultimately finishing the World Cup without a goal and just one assist.

"I felt really good this summer with the guys and I thought my level was high," said Pulisic. "Yeah, it's disappointing. I didn't quite have the moments I was hoping to and to try to help us to really push and get over this next step of beating a really good team.

"I'm disappointed with myself, of course, but I'm going to try to stay positive. I did a lot of good things and the team did as well."

Belgium advanced behind two goals from Charles De Ketelaere and one each from Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku. Malik Tillman scored the lone U.S. goal in the defeat.

Pulisic credited Belgium's tactical approach rather than a lack of effort from his own team.

"Belgium had a good game plan and they played balls in behind us when we pressed and caused a lot of problems," said Pulisic. "Won a lot of second balls and they were good in the boxes. That's what it comes down to and they were clinical."

Pulisic said he plans to rest before returning to preseason training with AC Milan under new manager Ruben Amorim.

AC Milan have agreed a club-record fee to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos, sources briefed on the deal told The Athletic. The transfer surpasses Milan's previous record outlay for Rafael Leao from Lille in 2019 and represents the most expensive deal in Serie A since Inter Milan signed Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United for €74 million that same year.

Ramos, 25, becomes the first signing of the Ruben Amorim era at Milan. The new head coach knows Ramos personally and identified him as his top target for the No. 9 position. The Portugal international's desire to work under Amorim was a significant factor in accelerating negotiations.

Milan beat out competition from several top European clubs to land Ramos, with owner Gerry Cardinale's relationship with PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi playing a pivotal role in securing the deal.

Ramos completed his medical while on international duty with Portugal in Florida, where he is preparing for the country's final group-stage match against Colombia in Miami on Saturday. He has appeared once at the 2026 World Cup, coming off the bench late in Portugal's opening draw with DR Congo on June 17.

The announcement coincides with Milan confirming Massimo Calvelli as their new chief executive officer as part of a broader restructuring of the club's leadership this summer.

New York City FC has expressed interest in United States men's national team forward Christian Pulisic, but AC Milan has firmly stated the 27-year-old is not available, sources briefed on the situation told The Athletic. Gazzetta Dello Sport first reported NYCFC's interest.

Sources add that NYCFC is not the only MLS club that would pursue Pulisic if Milan's position changed. For now, Pulisic remains focused entirely on the World Cup with the USMNT and is on track to return from a calf injury against Turkey on Thursday.

Pulisic is contracted through next summer, though Milan holds an option to extend his deal an additional 12 months, keeping him under club control through the summer of 2028.

The Italian club is navigating a significant organizational overhaul. Milan recently replaced head coach Massimiliano Allegri with Ruben Amorim following the club's failure to qualify for the Champions League. Sporting director Igli Tare, chief executive Giorgio Furlani and technical director Geoffrey Moncada also departed at the end of the domestic season.

Pulisic has been among Milan's most productive players since joining from Chelsea in 2023. He finished 2025-26 with eight goals and six assists across 1,611 Serie A minutes, though his form declined in the second half of the season after going scoreless following December.

The American winger has recorded 33 goals across 87 caps for the USMNT.

NYCFC is preparing to move into a new stadium in Queens set to open in the summer of 2027. The club previously featured European stars David Villa, Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo before moving away from that approach in recent years.

AC Milan have named Ruben Amorim as head coach on a two-year contract, the club announced Tuesday. The 41-year-old Portuguese manager replaces Massimiliano Allegri, dismissed after a late-season collapse left Milan without a spot in the Champions League next season.

Amorim was let go by Manchester United in January following 14 difficult months at Old Trafford. United had previously disclosed his exit, along with his coaching staff, carried a potential cost of up to $21 million (£15.9 million).

Reports out of Italy indicate Amorim agreed to forfeit the remaining year of pay owed by United as part of the transition.

"There are ambitions that stay with you throughout your career, and coaching AC Milan has always been one of mine," Amorim said. "I know exactly what this club means: history, prestige and an extraordinary fanbase around the world. It is a challenge I embrace with pride and enthusiasm."

Before his turbulent spell in Manchester, Amorim built his reputation at Sporting CP. He ended the Lisbon club's 19-year league title drought in 2020-21 and delivered another championship in 2023-24, establishing himself among Europe's top emerging coaches.

Amorim had been connected to the head coaching vacancy at Benfica last month, though sources close to him pushed back on that speculation. Former Fulham manager Marco Silva ultimately took that role.

Milan describe their new coach as bringing a modern, dominant tactical approach. His first competitive test comes in a pre-season fixture at Celtic on July 25. The preseason concludes against Manchester United in Wroclaw on August 15.

Ruben Amorim has emerged as the frontrunner to become AC Milan's new head coach, according to a source who spoke to ESPN. Milan are searching for a replacement after dismissing Massimiliano Allegri last month following a fifth-place Serie A finish that left the club outside Champions League qualification.

The 41-year-old Amorim departed Manchester United in January after a challenging 14-month tenure at Old Trafford. He previously earned acclaim during his time at Sporting CP before moving to the Premier League.

Amorim took charge of United in November 2024 and guided the club to a 15th-place Premier League finish, along with a Europa League final loss to Tottenham Hotspur.

Milan's ownership group, RedBird Capital, overhauled the club's leadership after an underwhelming end to the 2025-26 season, dismissing Allegri during his second spell in charge along with the club's chief executive and sporting director.

Mauricio Pocehttino, currently managing the United States in the World Cup, has also been a candidate for the job.

The Italian giants have not won Serie A since 2022 and have finished fourth, second, eighth and fifth in the seasons since.

U.S. men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino met with AC Milan representatives last week to discuss the club's vacant head coaching position, sources told The Athletic, raising questions about his future with American soccer ahead of a home World Cup.

The meeting occurred before the USMNT convened for World Cup camp in Georgia. Pochettino's contract with the U.S. Soccer Federation, signed in 2024, expires following this summer's tournament.

Milan identified Pochettino as a potential successor to Massimiliano Allegri, who departed earlier this week as part of a sweeping executive restructuring. The club also dismissed sporting director Igli Tare, chief executive Giorgio Furlani, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada on Monday. Andoni Iraola, who recently left Bournemouth, is considered a front-runner for the position.

The overhaul follows Milan's failure to qualify for the Champions League in consecutive seasons, finishing fifth in Serie A both times. Club ownership is seeking a high-profile appointment to restore Milan as a leading force in European football.

In March, Pochettino suggested openness to extending his tenure with the USMNT.

"We are open," said Pochettino. "We don't have a contract for the future but why not if we are happy and the federation is happy?"

The 54-year-old Argentine built his reputation across spells at Espanyol, Southampton, and Tottenham Hotspur, where he guided the club to the 2019 Champions League final. Subsequent roles at PSG and Chelsea preceded his move into international management.

A move to Milan would reunite Pochettino with USMNT winger Christian Pulisic. Fellow USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah is also under contract at the club after spending this season on loan at Atalanta.

AC Milan's American ownership group RedBird dismissed head coach Massimiliano Allegri, CEO Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare and technical director Geoffrey Moncada on Monday, one day after a late-season collapse eliminated the club from Champions League contention.

Milan squandered a 1-0 lead at home to relegation-threatened Cagliari on the final day of the Serie A season, losing 2-1 to finish fifth, one point outside a European top-four berth. The defeat came after the club had spent much of the campaign in the top two positions.

"The final stretch was completely inconsistent with the performance up to that point, with last night's disappointing loss in the final game turning the season into an unequivocal failure," RedBird said in a statement. "It is now time for change and a comprehensive reorganization of football operations. We are parting ways with CEO Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, head coach Massimiliano Allegri and technical director Geoffrey Moncada."

Club legend and special adviser Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the only senior figure retained. RedBird managing partner Gerry Cardinale is expected to work alongside Ibrahimovic to identify a new coach, CEO and sporting director.

Allegri had returned to Milan last year with a mandate to restore Champions League football following the club's eighth-place finish the prior season. He posted a record of 22 wins, 10 draws and 10 defeats across 42 matches. Milan was booed off the field by its own supporters after Sunday's loss.

The fifth-place finish moves Milan to Europa League competition next season.