A few weeks ago, Luka Modric announced his farewell to Real Madrid. Although he will turn 40 this year (on September 9), there are several clubs that have their eyes on him.
Modric meanwhile wants to continue playing in a high-level league because he wants to prepare as best as possible for the 2026 World Cup. Among the admirers of the Croatian are Milan, who are also thinking of him to reinforce Massimiliano Allegri’s midfield.
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The desire to make the fans dream with a big name seems to tease both Igli Tare and Allegri. In the discussions on the Milan of the future, the idea of signing Modric has been spoken about, at least as per multiple reports.
As we head into a massive summer transfer window, football betting tips will be as crucial as ever. So, what would Milan get with Modric?
Doubts and certainties
Why should Milan focus on the 39-year-old Modric? Anyone who has doubts about the Croatian’s age and physical condition should look at his numbers this season: 57 appearances and 2,864 minutes on the pitch.
Just think that at Milan, in the season that just ended, only six players had more minutes than Modric (Maignan, Reijnders, Theo Hernandez, Fofana, Pulisic and Leao). Obviously he couldn’t be an immovable starter, but this year he has also shown that when he has the ball at his feet, few see football like him.
The quality of the game that Luka is still able to express is there for all to see, as is his enormous charisma on and off the pitch. In a dressing room like Milan’s, a player with his personality who could be an example and guide for the younger players is sorely lacking.
It is a similar situation to January 2020, when the team were doing very badly and the club decided to bring Zlatan Ibrahimovic back. He had to help out on the pitch, but above all off the pitch.
Like Modric, the Swede – who turned 39 that year – was at the end of his career and certainly could not guarantee the performance of 10 years earlier, but without his presence in the locker room the Scudetto would never have arrived the following season.
Here, Milan thinks that the inclusion of someone like the Croatian in the group can bring many positive things as already happened a few years ago with Ibrahimovic: quality and experience on the pitch, charisma and personality off it.
A boyhood dream
Marca reported that Milan were in fact very close to finding an agreement with Modric at one point, with Boban’s intercession having brought the Croatia international one step away. Boban was then sacked from his role due to comments he made about CEO Ivan Gazidis.
The Ballon d’Or winner spoke about it directly in an interview for La Gazzetta dello Sport, giving his side of the story. Firstly, he confirmed that he was a Milan fan growing up due to his idol Zvonimir Boban.
“He was an idol for me and my dad – when I was little – bought me a red and black suit. I imagined being a Milan player but it went differently, and when you get to Real Madrid it’s difficult to think of going elsewhere.
“If things hadn’t gone well in Madrid, I would certainly have been happy in Serie A. But honestly, the priority has always been Madrid. I look at you and I’m sorry for Milan. The real Milan is missing from Italy and Europe. ”
