Ballon d’Or wishes Luka Modric ‘happy birthday’ — one month early: Milan star’s comical six-word reply steals the show

In the midst of settling into life at Milan, Modric became the center of an unexpected — and hilarious — social media moment.

Milan’s summer recruitment has been ambitious, but one name towers above the rest — Luka Modric. The Croatian maestro, a Ballon d’Or winner and one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, joined the Rossoneri to widespread excitement and curiosity. At 39, he is both a soccer legend and a player still determined to make his mark.

But in the midst of settling into life in Italy, Modric became the center of an unexpected — and hilarious — social media moment. The incident began with a well-meaning post from one of the most prestigious soccer institutions on the planet and ended with a witty, viral reply that fans couldn’t get enough of.

Few transfer windows see a player of Modric’s calibre switch clubs. As Milan’s marquee signing, he brings not only experience but also a wealth of technical skill and leadership. The Rossoneri pounced when the opportunity came, sealing a deal that adds a touch of pure class to their midfield.

The Croatian’s arrival is not without questions. His age inevitably sparks debates about whether he can still perform at the highest level across a long season. Yet for Modric, moving to the San Siro is a dream fulfilled, and a chance to help restore his boyhood club to its former glory.

Fans also remember that Modric is the only player to break the decade-long Ballon d’Or dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Between 2008 and 2017, the two superstars collected ten awards between them. That changed in 2018, when Modric lifted the trophy after an extraordinary season in which he led Croatia to a World Cup final and won the Champions League with Real Madrid.

France Football gets the date wrong

On August 9, the official Ballon d’Or Instagram account — run by France Football — decided to post birthday wishes for the AC Milan star. The sentiment was appreciated, but there was just one problem: Modric’s birthday isn’t until September 9, exactly one month later.

Rather than letting the blunder go unnoticed, the Croatian opted to respond in his signature calm and humorous style. His six-word reply was as simple as it was effective: “It’s next month, but thanks anyway.”

The comment quickly took off, with fans filling the replies with laughing emojis and good-natured jokes. Many praised the veteran for handling the situation with grace, showing that even at the peak of soccer fame, he remains grounded and approachable.

The post gained more traction than most routine birthday greetings, in part because of the Ballon d’Or’s prestige. After all, this is the same award Modric himself lifted in 2018 — an achievement that interrupted the Messi-Ronaldo era.

That connection made the mix-up even more amusing. Supporters loved the irony of the organization that once crowned him the best player in the world getting his birth date wrong. Yet, instead of making it awkward, Modric’s response turned it into a wholesome, laugh-out-loud moment. As one fan put it in the comments, “Only Luka could make being wished happy birthday on the wrong day look classy.”