Luka Modrić was interviewed by 'Marca'. Below are some excerpts from his comments to the well-known Spanish sports newspaper.
Luka, you cannot imagine how much you are missed in Madrid…
“[Laughs, ed.] Thank you for coming. It is always nice to hear these things, to know that you miss me. I miss Madrid too, the city, the club and everything else. But I can say that I am doing well and I am happy here in Milan. They welcomed me with open arms from the very first day and I am very happy. The fact that I have stayed here for a second consecutive year is proof of that. So, even though I miss Madrid a lot, I am in Milan now and I am happy here too.”
What was more difficult: saying goodbye to Real Madrid or getting used to no longer being a Real Madrid player?
“From my experience, I think saying goodbye was more difficult than getting used to it, because then you have to accept that one day all of this will come to an end. Football and certain things… You have to detach yourself from experiences that you have lived to the fullest. For me, it was harder to say goodbye than to come here and, little by little, get used to a new routine, a new reality and a new club. It was not easy to say goodbye, but, as I said, it is part of life. When you know that you have given everything, that you have done everything within your power for that club, you leave with your head held high. I left with my head held high," said Modric.
Is that also why you chose Milan, because it is a very demanding club and has won seven European Cups? I am not saying it is the same, but the expectations are also extremely high here.
“Yes, yes. The expectations are also very high here. Milan are one of the best clubs in the world, a historic club that perhaps have not achieved the results everyone was accustomed to in recent years, but that does not change the fact that they remain a great club and one of the most loved in the world. When you arrive here, you can feel it. You can breathe Milan’s history. You feel it here at the training ground too. So many legends and great players have played here… It was certainly one of the reasons why I chose Milan. When I was a child and watched Italian football, Milan were my favourite team. So several things came together that made the decision easier after Real Madrid, because I have always had great affection and respect for Milan. When this opportunity came after Madrid, I did not have many doubts.”
What is Luka Modrić’s objective for this season with Milan?
“Do better than last year. For a long time, we did very well. We remained in the Scudetto race until around March, then in the final matches we almost threw everything away and failed to qualify for the Champions League. It was a major blow for Milan because, given their history, Milan must play in the Champions League every year. They are the second club with the most titles after Real Madrid. The objective is to do well and help the team in every way, both on and off the pitch. There is a lot of enthusiasm. There have been many changes to the team this year, a new coach and several new players, and the club considered me an important part of the project. They wanted me to stay here, and that is why I stayed. I want to compete, give everything and try to get Milan back to winning ways. All together. One player cannot do it alone, but together we all have to make an effort to gradually bring Milan back to where they deserve to be.”
How does Luka Modrić maintain his motivation season after season?
“It is not difficult. I do what I love. Football is my life. I started training at the age of six and football really is my life. I still enjoy it, and I still have the same ambition, motivation and passion. When you have these feelings, it is easier to keep going. Thank God, I feel good physically and mentally, which is very important, and I think those are the main reasons. Above all, it is the love I have for this sport. Because if your body no longer supports you, it becomes difficult. But I do not consider this a job. For me, it is something I enjoy. I continue to have fun and enjoy it. I do not have days when I think, ‘I don't feel like it anymore, I don't want to train or get up.’ That has never happened to me. As long as I feel this way, I do not see any reason to stop. I know many people talk about my age, and it has become a little boring. I think it is part of this narrative, as they say, but it does not affect me. I live day by day and enjoy myself. I think my body will tell me when the time has come. I have always been realistic and honest with myself, and I think that, although that moment will certainly be difficult, it will come. It is closer now, certainly closer than before. But we will see how much longer I will stay and continue playing.”
What is Luka Modrić like when he leaves Milanello, just as when he used to leave Valdebebas?
“A normal person. A family man. I try to spend time with my family and my children, doing normal things, nothing extraordinary. I spend time with my friends. I like playing padel, tennis and basketball. Whenever I can, I do it. I simply try to do normal things, nothing special or out of the ordinary.”
You said that Madrid is your home. When you stop playing, would you like to return?
“Maybe. I would like to. To be honest, I have no need to hide it. Madrid is my home and, naturally, one day I would like to return. But we will see how and in what role, if it happens. I do not want to return just for the sake of returning and being there without a purpose. That is not how I am. I want to be useful, I want to help Real Madrid. I do not want to be there without knowing why. That is my mentality and that is what I think. Madrid gave me everything, it gave me so much, and I think I would only return to do something useful, do things properly and work not ‘in Real Madrid’, but ‘for Real Madrid’. As Mourinho recently said, we have to work for Real Madrid, help them in any way we can and make them even greater. That is the only way I would like to return. But we will see. It is my home, I am a Madridista and I always will be. If I am being honest, of course I would like to. But we will see what life has in store for you; you never know. My intention is to return to Madrid and live there, but we all know how things go. You can never say anything with certainty. But I really hope it happens."
