Luka Modric was interviewed exclusively by Claudio Raimondi for SportMediaset and spoke on several topics. These are all his statements:
On his condition:
"I feel good and I’m improving physically. I’ve returned to training with the team and I’m already getting used to the mask. I’m ready to come back. I really want to play again; when you’re out you suffer because you can’t help your teammates, as happened against Genoa for example. Obviously, Allegri will decide, but I’m available."
Luka, a mask like a superhero's...
"No (laughs), I feel like a normal person. I wear it to protect myself following the doctors’ recommendations. I don’t feel like a superhero!"
At 40, you still have the energy of a youngster:
"It’s down to many factors such as sleeping well, training properly, taking care of everything, but the most important thing is my passion and love for football," as relayed via Milannews.it.
On his future:
"What I can say is that I am very happy in Milan, but the most important thing right now is Sunday’s match against Cagliari and Champions League qualification. For the rest, we’ll see. I have a good relationship with the club, the directors and the coach. When I chose Milan, it was to help and try to win; this year it hasn’t happened, but it’s clear I would like to win a trophy with Milan. I repeat: right now I’m only thinking about Sunday’s match."
On Milan, Modric said:
"A spectacular city, I like it a lot, it has everything. Amazing cuisine; pasta is my favourite dish. It’s also close to the mountains, the sea and the lakes."
Someone said that after another season as a player you could become Allegri's assistant:
"I have a good relationship with him, but we haven’t spoken about that. I still enjoy playing football, when I retire I’ll think about it. When will I retire? I don’t know, we’ll see after Sunday..."
On coach Massimiliano Allegri:
"A great coach, he has achieved great results with Milan and Juventus, he has returned to AC Milan and is doing an exceptional job. He prepares matches well, he has personality, I am happy to work with him."
On Modrić being a role model for young players:
"It’s something that makes me proud; I always try to help everyone. I think the young players see that and appreciate it."
What does the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner think of Serie A?
"A very positive impression. Italian football is competitive and better than people think abroad. It’s a difficult league; I am not surprised because I have followed Italian football since I was a child. Serie A is one of the best leagues in the world. In the last ten years, Juventus and Inter have reached Champions League finals, and Milan reached the semi-finals."
On the World Cup with Croatia, Modrić’s fifth:
"A difficult group, but we will give everything. Croatia must defend its colours as always, giving everything and making the fans proud of us. We are in a tough group, but the first objective will be to reach the final stage. We are competitive even if I don’t know how far we can go. In the past we have finished second and third; I know people have high expectations of us and I can say we will give everything."
