Croatian football legend and national team captain Luka Modric confirmed on Wednesday that he has signed a one-year deal with Italian giants AC Milan, marking the end of a glittering twelve-year spell with Real Madrid.
Speaking to the club’s official TV channel, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner expressed both excitement and determination as he embarks on what he called “a new adventure” with the Rossoneri.
Modric, who will turn 40 in September, emphasized that his decision to move to Milan was driven by a desire to remain at the highest level of football. “I wanted to stay in Europe, to continue playing competitive football. I had some other offers, but when Milan showed up for me, it was clear from the first moment,” he said.
Though AC Milan failed to qualify for any European competition after a lackluster campaign that saw them finish eighth in Serie A last season, Modric maintains that the club’s stature remains unquestioned.
“Milan cannot be satisfied with average and needs to have the biggest goals possible, to win titles, to compete with the best teams in the world, that’s why I am here,” he said. For Modric, Milan’s rich legacy and ambition were more than enough to secure his signature.
Having joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, Modric established himself as one of the most influential midfielders of his generation. During his time in Spain, he amassed a collection of trophies that includes six UEFA Champions League titles, four La Liga championships, and two Copa del Rey victories. Now, as he prepares to don the red and black of Milan, Modric is setting his sights on new challenges. “I’m happy to be here and I look forward to a new adventure,” he said with a smile.
Modric’s deal with Milan includes an option for a second year, giving both the player and the club flexibility for the future. But for the Croatian maestro, the driving force remains his relentless appetite for success. “I’m never satisfied, I always want more,” he admitted. “When you’ve experienced that feeling (of winning), you want to feel it even more. I still have hunger, desire, still wanting more.”
Addressing his longevity at the top level, Modric credited his enduring love for football. “The most important thing is the love for the game, for football,” he said. “That’s what I still have, what I still feel in my belly, this fire, that’s what pushes me … there is no secrets, for me it’s the passion, the love for football. I am never satisfied.”
Reflecting on his childhood, Modric revealed that his connection to Milan goes back decades. “When I was a kid, I watched the Italian league a lot, Milan was my favourite team,” he recalled. One key reason was Croatian icon Zvonimir Boban, who starred for the Rossoneri from 1992 to 2001. “Also because Zvonimir Boban was there, who was my idol,” Modric said fondly.
As he prepares to bring his experience and leadership to a Milan side eager to return to the summit of Italian and European football, Modric’s message is clear: he has not come to wind down his career, but to compete. Fueled by a love for the game and a legacy of success, he is ready to write a new chapter in one of football’s most historic clubs.
What you should know
Luka Modric’s move to AC Milan signals his continued ambition to compete at the highest level despite nearing 40. A legend at Real Madrid, Modric now returns to his childhood favorite club in Italy, inspired by his idol Zvonimir Boban, and aims to help Milan regain its place among Europe’s elite.
