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Luka Modric ready to bring winning mentality back to Milan and fire Serie A season
When most players are approaching the grand age of 40, their minds turn to plans after their football career, but then most players aren't Luka Modric.
The Croatian will hit that milestone next month and as his Real Madrid contract came to an end this past summer, there had been speculation that he'd wind down his career with a move to the US or even Saudi Arabia.
Instead, Modric will continue to strut his stuff among Europe's elite after making the move to Serie A and taking up the challenge of reinvigorating Italian giants AC Milan.
The Rossoneri have gone back to the past to help them overcome last season's disappointing campaign and appointed former boss Massimiliano Allegri, who was a title-winning manager with Milan in 2011.
Modric has been recruited to help Allegri's task and brings with him a winning mentality that earned him six Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles during his time at the Bernabeu, and for him there was never any doubt that he still wanted to compete at the highest level.
"The reason why I chose Milan is because I'm still seeking new challenges, I still want to play on a high level, a competitive level," Modric told DAZN ahead of the new Serie A campaign.
"Because of my love for football, I still have passion and motivation for what I am doing.
"Maybe I could choose an easier way to go in some other leagues that are not that competitive, but it's not me. It's not part of my character.
"And while I'm playing football, I want to compete on the highest level possible. When I see that this is not possible, I will just stop.
"I want to give like, I just need to do what I did my career. Play my football, help in any aspect that is necessary and bring my experience, winning mentality and to be helpful to my teammates, to everyone that is in every aspect that is necessary."
Modric admits he sought advice from Carlo Ancelotti, his former Real Madrid boss and a man who won the Champions League with Milan, and he told him great things about the club.
However, there has also been a desire from the midfielder to wear the famous red and black kit since watching Zvonimir Boban appear for his new side when he was growing up in Croatia.
Now that he has arrived at the San Siro and has his famous number 14 on his back, the aim for the former Ballon d'Or winner is to bring European football back to the club after missing out last season.
Milan finished eighth in 2024-25 and that means there is no European football this year for Modric or the club. So, the Croatian has made a return to Europe, the minimum requirement.
"Milan didn't have the best season last year, they finished eighth," he says matter-of-factly.
"And of course, we need to look high to fight to come back in the Champions League. This, obviously, is the minimum that this team needs to achieve.
"For me, I won many trophies with Real Madrid and I'm a guy who wants to win every time, even in training session. And that's why I hope we can, I want to win trophies with Milan. This is my goal.
"And I will, from my side, I will give everything, and we need to create a good atmosphere, a good ambience, have strong group togetherness and then everything can be easier."
Modric will begin his challenge on Saturday when his new team hosts newly promoted Cremonese on the opening day. He has signed a one-year deal with the Italian club, with the option of another year, which would see him move into his forties if he were to stay on in Milan.
As someone whose footballing intelligence has always been at the forefront of his attributes, is there a secret to Modric's amazing longevity at the highest level?
"Everyone asks the same question but there is no secret," he states with a grin.
"It's just for me, I think it's love for the game, passion that I still have.
"And of course, diet and a training routine. I live for football 24 hours and maybe these are the reasons why I'm still competing on this level. I still have football dreams.@ACMilan
"That's why I came to Milan. It's, let's say, one childhood dream and I'm now here, like I said, I want to win trophies with Milan.
"This is my dream. But family is a part of everything. They are the most important and my focus is always on them."
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