Luka Modric arrives at his first Milan derby after securing qualification for his fifth consecutive World Cup with Croatia, an achievement reserved for very few. The Croatian star returned to the Carnago Training Center on Wednesday afternoon and immediately made himself available to Massimiliano Allegri, showing the usual humility of a player who wants to prove he deserves his place, not the attitude of someone who has won everything over more than twenty years of career.
His presence is crucial not only technically, where he has few equals worldwide, but also emotionally, as the intensity he brings to every session sets an example for his teammates.
Modric and the first Milan derby:
Fatigue is not part of Modric’s vocabulary, at least not in this early phase of the season, writes Calcio Mercato. At Milan, he is experiencing a true second youth: he has played 11 consecutive matches, as he did in the 2020/2021 season, feels in strong physical condition, and has shared with friends his great happiness at choosing Milan after ending his long chapter with Real Madrid. He is also highly curious about his first derby in a Milan shirt, scheduled Sunday at 20:45. Modric has already scored his first Serie A goal in the 14 September victory over Bologna at San Siro and now aims to replicate that in his first Milan derby against historic rivals Inter.
A taboo to break:
A legend who wrote unforgettable pages in Real Madrid history, Modric fully understands the weight of certain matches. With the Blancos, he played 42 derbies, achieving 18 wins and 5 assists. Strangely, given his stature, he has never scored in the Madrid derby. A sort of taboo that Milan’s number 14 intends to break this Sunday. The mission will be difficult, as Inter is strong and comes into the match on a wave of positive results over the past month and a half. Throughout his career, Modric has always turned the impossible into possible, and he intends to maintain that mindset in the Milan derby.
Will Luka Modric renew his contract with AC Milan?
A derby win would boost Milan’s morale and strengthen their bid for the title. It would also bring the 1985-born midfielder closer to renewing for another season. Modric has prioritized the Rossoneri, and a victory on Sunday would reinforce this commitment, which grows stronger day by day, training by training. For now, his priority is to win the derby and score his first goal in the match of matches.
Inter could have been in Modric's fate:
Modric was supposed to join Milan seven years ago. In 2018, an incredible year for him, he lifted his fourth Champions League with Real Madrid. In July, Croatia lost to France despite Modric being named the tournament’s best player. At that time, he began to reflect on his future at Real Madrid, as Inter was pursuing him aggressively. Negotiations started through Vlado Lemic, Modric’s agent, who on 2 August was seen at Milan’s Hotel Gallia to finalize the Vrsaljko deal and simultaneously open a path for the Croatian midfielder. The initial idea was a loan with a purchase option, but ultimately, the move did not materialize.
