Luka Modric is a new AC Milan player. The Croatian champion has chosen the Rossoneri as the next chapter of his career after legendary years at Real Madrid, filled with trophies and a historic Ballon d’Or. The midfielder, who will turn 40 in September, spoke to DAZN. Here are his statements:
After all the trophies you’ve won, at 39 you still talk about your love for the game. Is that your secret?
“Yes, it definitely is. That’s why I look for new challenges. That’s why I want to keep playing and competing at the highest level. It’s for the love of football, I still have the passion and motivation for what I do. Maybe I could have made an easier choice, gone to leagues that aren’t as competitive, but that’s not me. That’s not how I do things. When I play football, I want it to be at the highest possible level. When I’m no longer able, I’ll stop. But as I told you, I feel great, I love this game, I have passion and motivation, and those are the reasons why I’m here.”
What do you want to bring to this group?
“I want to bring… I want to do what I’ve always done in my career: play my football, help out when needed, bring experience, a winning mentality, and be useful to my teammates and the whole team in every way possible, whenever needed.”
Why did you choose Milan? Modric commented:
“The main reason I chose Milan is the greatness of the club: it’s one of the best teams in the world. This photo (of him as a child wearing a Milan tracksuit alongside his parents) is a beautiful memory, showing how popular Milan was at the time, especially in Croatia. I grew up watching your league, and Milan was my favorite team as a kid, mainly because of Zvonimir Boban who played here, he was my idol as a boy. These are the reasons why I chose Milan. And that photo is a wonderful memory. The first time I came here to sign the contract, I immediately felt this club is special. You can sense the aura of greatness: they’ve won 7 Champions Leagues, second only to Real Madrid. That says it all. Here, everything is top level: the people working for the club, the fans, the stadium…”
On Carlo Ancelotti, whom he consulted before moving to Milan:
“I spoke to Ancelotti before signing with the Rossoneri and he said only wonderful things about Milan. Of course, I already knew them, but when someone like Carlo, who has been both a player and a coach here, tells you these things, you get an even clearer perception of the club and its environment. We talked about it. Even in our earlier conversations, before my signing, Milan came up and he would tell me great things.”
You’re the 13th Ballon d’Or winner to wear the Milan shirt… You’re joining names like van Basten, Gullit, Ronaldo, Baggio, Shevchenko, Kaká. Among all these, do you see yourself as a legend of the sport?
“It’s a beautiful list, to be honest (laughs). I prefer to let others speak and say whether I’m a legend or not. What I can say is that I’m truly proud of what I’ve achieved in football. Maybe I’ve achieved even more than I expected. And that’s why I’m happy. It’s not for me to decide if I’m a legend, I’ll let others say that. But again, I’m very proud and happy with everything I’ve achieved in my career.”
“Milan cannot settle for mediocrity and must compete with the strongest teams in Europe.” So, what’s the goal for this new adventure, for Luka Modric and for Milan?
“Yes, it was very important that the sporting director came to Croatia to present Milan’s project to me. It showed how much they value me, how much they rate me. That was key in making the decision to sign. Our goal? Milan didn’t have the best season last year, finishing eighth. Obviously, we must aim high to get back into the Champions League, that’s the minimum objective. As for me, I came here after winning many trophies at Real Madrid. I’m a person who always wants to win, even in training. That’s why I hope to win trophies with Milan too, that’s my goal, and I’ll give everything. We need to build a good atmosphere, have a strong group, and everything will be easier.”
You were Real Madrid’s number 10 for many years. At Milan, the 10 is worn by Rafael Leao. Do you see him as a player at the top of European football?
“Absolutely. For me, he’s a world-class player. And Milan is lucky to have players of this caliber. I’ve played against him several times, both at club and national level, and you immediately understand the kind of player he is. Without a doubt, he’s world-class.”
When you were younger, you chose number 14 for Johan Cruyff. Did you know Cruyff played a friendly for Milan wearing the 14? Maybe it was destiny…
“My first number was 14, then I kept it at Tottenham where I did well. That’s why, since it was available, I wanted to choose it again. Cruyff is the symbol of this number, the player who gave importance to the 14 and made it special. It’s a pleasure to wear it.”
You won your first trophy as a boy in Alzano Lombardo. And when you played against Atalanta, you swapped shirts with the kids from Immacolata, the team that organized that tournament. Can you tell us more about it?
“When I started my youth career in Zadar, we often traveled to Italy to play in tournaments. We went to Genoa, Senigallia, and also Alzano. We won the trophy there, I was named best player, and I kept wonderful memories of that tournament. The last time we played in Bergamo, they came with the Immacolata shirt and I gave them mine. It was nice to remember that moment because that tournament has a special meaning for me.”
What do you think of Italian football? And what will it be like to play the Milan derby against Inter?
“I’ve played many times against Italian teams, and you immediately see their quality, how organized and competitive they are. So it’ll be a great challenge to adapt as quickly as possible, understand what the coach wants from me, where he wants me to play, and do what I’ve always done. I’ve watched many Milan derbies. I can’t wait to play one, these are the best challenges to experience on the pitch. I often watched Milan–Inter matches, and I love playing these kinds of games. I can’t wait to do it wearing the Rossoneri shirt. Will I face my compatriot Sučić? Yes, we’ll see each other on the pitch. He has a great future ahead of him. He’s already shown he’s an excellent player, very talented, and has done very well both with the national team and Dinamo Zagreb. I wish him the best, but not against us!”
What’s the secret to your football longevity? Modric replied:
“Everyone asks the same question, but the truth is there’s no secret. For me, it’s simply the love for the game, the passion I still have. And of course, there are important things like diet, training… I live for football, 24 hours a day. And maybe that’s why I can still compete at these levels. I still have football dreams, and that’s also why I came here to Milan. It’s a childhood dream. But as I’ve always said, I’m here to win trophies with Milan. That’s my dream. But family is part of all this, and it’s the most important thing. My focus is always on them. Even though I live for football and enjoy it, family is at the center of my daily focus.”
