Luka Modric has hinted that he would like to stay at AC Milan beyond the current season, given how happy he is at the club.
Modric has been a shining light for Milan in a rollercoaster campaign. The Croatian won everything at Real Madrid, yet he arrived at 40 years old to wear the shirt of his boyhood club Milan, honouring it like few have.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
He is a role model on and off the pitch, a timeless champion who enchanted the San Siro crowd. His desire to return to the pitch after the fractured cheekbone he suffered against Juventus is testament to the professionalism and drive of the man.
Amid talk that Modric would do another year under the right conditions (and possibly even more), he was interviewed exclusively by Claudio Raimondi for SportMediaset and spoke about a variety of topics.
How are you feeling?
“I feel good and am improving physically. I’m back training with the team, and I’m already getting used to the mask. I’m ready to return. I really want to get back to playing.
“It’s hard outside because you can’t help your team-mates, like it was against Genoa, for example. Obviously, Allegri will decide, but I’m available.”
A mask like a superhero’s?
“No (laughs), I feel like a normal person. I wear it for protection, according to the doctors’ recommendations. I don’t feel like a superhero!”
At 40, you still have the energy of a young boy…
“There are many factors like sleeping well, training well, paying attention to everything, but the most important thing is my passion and love for football.”
What does the future hold?
“What I can say is that I’m very happy in Milan, but the most important thing now is the match against Cagliari on Sunday and Champions League qualification. As for the rest, we’ll see. I have a good relationship with the club, the management, and the coach.
“When I chose Milan, it was to help and try to win. This year, that didn’t happen, but it’s clear that I’d like to win a trophy with Milan. I repeat: right now, however, I’m only thinking about Sunday’s match.”
Do you like Milano?
“Spectacular city, I love it, it has everything. Spectacular food, pasta is my favorite dish, and it’s close to the mountains, the sea, and the lake.”
Someone said that, after another season as a player, you could join Allegri’s staf…
“I have a good relationship with him, but we haven’t talked about this. I still like playing football, and when I retire I’ll think about it. When will I retire? I don’t know, we’ll see after Sunday…”
What is Allegri like?
“A great coach, he achieved great results with Milan and Juve, he’s back at AC Milan and is doing an exceptional job. He prepares matches well, he has personality, I’m happy to work with him.”
Do you see yourself as a role model?
“One thing that makes me proud is that I always try to help everyone. I think young people see that and appreciate it.”
What does the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner think of Serie A?
“A very positive impression. Italian football is competitive and better than what they think abroad. It’s a tough league, but I wasn’t surprised because I’ve followed Italian football since I was a kid.
“Serie A is one of the best leagues in the world. In the last ten years, Juventus and Inter have reached the Champions League final, and Milan has reached the semi-finals.”
Your fifth World Cup is approaching…
“It’s a tough group, but we’ll give it our all. Croatia must defend their colors as always, giving everything, making the fans proud of us. We’re in a tough group, but our first goal will be to advance to the finals.
“We’re competitive, even if I don’t know how far we can go. We’ve finished second and third in the past. I know people have high expectations of us, and I can say we’ll give it our all.”
He’s very well mannered in his answers 🫡