‘I still have football dreams’ and Luka Modric believes he can make them come true at San Siro. ‘Maybe I could’ve chosen an easier way, go to leagues that are not that competitive, but it is not me.’
The midfielder won it all at Real Madrid, including six Champions League trophies, but decided that rather than take the huge wages in MLS or the Saudi Pro League, he would challenge himself all over again in Serie A.
“This is definitely the reason why I am still seeking new challenges, why I still want to play at a high level, a competitive level,” Modric told DAZN Italia.
“I still have love for football, passion and motivation for what I am doing. Maybe I could’ve chosen an easier way to go in some other leagues that are not that competitive, but it is not me. When I am playing football, I want to compete at the highest level possible.
“When I see that it is not possible, then I will stop, but I still feel really good, I have passion and motivation, so these are the reasons I am here.”
Modric signed a one-year contract with Milan, with the option to extend, but he celebrates his 40th birthday next month, so cannot possibly keep up the same tempo.
“I want to keep doing what I’ve always done in my career, play my football, bring my experience, winning mentality, and to be helpful to my teammates in any aspect that is necessary,” continued the midfielder.
Milan a childhood dream for Modric
It has been noted many times that he grew up supporting Milan thanks to the presence of his hero, Croatian legend Zvonimir Boban, so DAZN showed an image of Modric as a kid with the Rossoneri jersey.
“The main reason why I chose Milan is the size of the club, it is one of the biggest clubs in the world. This photo is a nice memory and it shows how Milan was popular at the time, in Croatia especially.
“I grew up watching Italian football and Milan was my favourite team, especially as Zvonimir Boban played there, who was my childhood idol. These are the reasons why I chose Milan.
“The first time I came here to sign the contract, you could sense straight away that this club is special. It has a special aura, the organisation is at the top, the people, fans, stadium, everything is on a higher level and you can sense this greatness. It’s a club that won seven titles in Europe, second only to Real Madrid, and that says a lot.”
Much of Modric’s Real Madrid career was spent with Carlo Ancelotti, so did he ask the coach for advice on coming to Milan?
“I spoke with Carlo and he told me only the best things about Milan. I knew it already, but when someone like Carlo who was a player and a coach here tells you, you get an even better perception about the club. In our conversations before this, we would sometimes talk about Milan and he’d tell me great things.”
Modric won the Ballon d’Or and therefore becomes the 13th winner of that trophy to wear the Milan jersey. Does he see himself as a legend?
“I prefer to let others speak about how they see me. What I can say is that I’m really happy and proud of what I achieved in football. I achieved perhaps even more than I expected, but I cannot say if I am a legend. I prefer to let others say that.”
In his presentation press conference, he said that Milan cannot be content with mediocrity.
“It was very important that the sporting director came to Croatia and presented the sporting project. It shows how much they want you and admire you, so that was very important for me to make this step and sign for Milan.
“Milan didn’t have the best season, they finished eighth, so obviously qualification for the Champions League has to be the minimum for us to achieve. I want to win trophies with Milan, that is my goal. We need to give everything and create strong togetherness, then everything can be easier.”
Rafael Leao is his new teammate at San Siro, someone who Modric has faced off against before.
“Definitely, for me he is a world class player. Milan is happy to have these kinds of players. I played against him a few times, at club and national level, and straight away you feel the kind of player he is.”
On the eve of his 40th birthday, it is quite a shift for Modric to go from over a decade at Real Madrid to this new experience in Serie A.
“I played many times against Italian sides and you could see how much quality they have, they are well-organised, compete really well. This will be a challenge to adapt as quickly as possible, to see what the coach asks of me, where he sees me.”
There is one fixture he is looking forward to already, and that is the Derby della Madonnina, with fellow Croatian Petar Sucic in the Inter jersey.
“I used to watch a lot of derbies with Milan against Inter and I can’t wait, because these are the best games to play. I will see Sucic on the pitch, he has a great future ahead of him, has already shown he is talented for the national team and Dinamo Zagreb. I wish him all the best, just not against us!”
Modric was asked for the secret behind his incredible longevity.
“Everyone asks me that, but there is no secret. It’s just love for the game, the passion that I still have, and of course diet, training routine. I live for football 24 hours a day, and maybe that’s why I am still competing at this level,” he replied.
“I still have football dreams and that’s why I came to Milan. It’s a childhood dream, now I am here, I want to win trophies with Milan.
“I love for football and enjoy it, but family is number one, they are my everyday focus.”
