Luka Modrić, the AC Milan fan-favourite and veteran midfielder, has granted an interview to the Rossoneri club's official microphones.
After your injury against Juventus, did you ever think about retiring?
"I never thought it could be my last game with Milan. I really wanted to return to playing as soon as possible this season. I didn’t feel comfortable wearing the protective mask, and I didn’t feel at my best on the pitch. But I never thought it could be my last game with Milan. Deep down, I knew I wanted to continue, but at the same time I had to assess other things that would allow me to do so. Now I’m here and I’m very happy to be back."
What did you feel after the Cagliari game?
"If I had to sum everything up in one word, I would say ‘frustration’, because we had been doing well, playing well and getting results until March. Up to that point, we were in the title race. As far as I was concerned, I was disappointed that I couldn’t help the team as I had before my injury. It was a really difficult moment for me."
"We didn’t achieve our objective, but many other things stayed with me, such as the atmosphere at the club and in the dressing room, and the way we conducted ourselves. We always remained united and something special was created. That made me feel a great deal of respect from everyone."
"Then, the most important thing of all is the results, and we didn’t achieve our objective. There were many positive things, but in the end the disappointment remains. In the days following Milan-Cagliari, I thought about what had happened and what the reasons behind this negative result were, but I couldn’t reflect on it for too long because of my commitments with Croatia at the World Cup."
When did you decide to stay at Milan?
“I always remained in contact with the people at Milan and, even though I was at the World Cup, I always had Milan in my thoughts. I could have signed a one-year extension at any point during the season, even in December, but first I wanted to listen to my body and understand how I felt, how much hunger I had and how much passion I still had for playing."
"Milan showed how much they cared about me and how much they wanted me to be part of this new project. That was what I needed, and what I wanted to hear. I discussed it with my family and decided to stay."
"Every player needs the trust and love of the club, the fans, his teammates and everyone who works at the team."
At Milan, you play alongside players who are 20 years younger than you...
“I know that many people talk about my age and the fact that many players are 20 years younger than me. But I don’t think about these things. In fact, they make me feel younger. Playing with them makes me feel younger and motivates me to compete against them. That pushes me to keep going. I’m very competitive, I like to fight and I like having the desire to compete.”
Modric, how did you feel about your first year at Milan?
"It was fantastic, better than I could have expected. I felt the love from the very first day and everywhere I went: on the streets, on social media, everywhere. When you receive so much love, the only thing you want to do is give something back to the fans and the club and give everything you have to try to represent Milan in the best possible way."
"The love I felt was incredible. I played for the biggest club in the world, Real Madrid, but my feeling is that Milan are at the same level. When people talk about Milan, they do so differently compared with other clubs. And when you come here, you understand why. It is one of the biggest clubs in the world. The people who work here make it great, as do the fans."
"I understood why Milan are so great. I feel as though I have been here for many years, and that makes me give everything I have. It’s beautiful to have experienced these feelings."
"The love of the fans is the most important thing for me. If you have that, it’s easy to make other decisions. You feel that everyone wants you to stay and keep playing. This is where I want to be, and that is why I am here," as relayed via Milannews.it
What objective have you returned to Milan with? Modric answered:
"My mission is to give my maximum and help the team win as much as possible. I have returned as if it were my first time and as if I had to win. There is no need to talk too much: now we have to act. Stay humble, work hard and remain united."
"If you play for a club like Milan, the most natural thing is to think about winning, not just qualifying for the Champions League. You have to aim for the maximum. That’s why I am here; that is my objective."
"Together with the club, the ownership and the coach, we share the same objective, and that is why I decided to return."
Modric with a message to the fans:
"I want to thank everyone for their support since I arrived. What I ask of the fans is to stay with us and support our project. I can promise that we will truly give everything, everything our fans deserve. Hopefully, they will be proud of us. We need them to have a great season."
