Luka Modric Lists His Demands For AC Milan Players And Fans After Joining Italian Giants

‎Luka Modric grew up supporting AC Milan, inspired by Croatian legend Zvonimir Boban and the club’s dominance in 1990s European football.

‎Now 39, the Ballon d’Or winner has joined the Rossoneri after 13 successful seasons at Real Madrid. He’s made it clear that the mediocrity behind last season’s eighth-place finish and failure to qualify for Europe is unacceptable.

‎”Milan cannot be satisfied with average,” Modric told Milan TV. “It needs to have the biggest goals possible, to win titles, to compete with the best teams in the world. And that’s why I’m here.”

‎Modric was shown a photo of himself wearing a Milan warm-up suit as a child.

‎”When I grew up, I used to watch a lot of the Italian league and Milan was my favorite team,” he said.

‎”At the time, in Croatia, we followed Milan a lot because it was one of the most popular clubs in the world. And also because there was Zvonimir Boban who was my idol.”

‎On Monday, Modric signed a one-year contract with Milan that includes an option for another season.

‎”I wanted to stay in Europe, continue playing competitive football,” he said.

‎”I had some other offers, but when Milan showed up for me, it was clear from the first moment. … What also impressed me [was] how [sporting] director Igli Tare came to Croatia to present me the project.”

‎Milan brought back Massimiliano Allegri as head coach following last season, replacing the dismissed Sergio Conceicao. Allegri previously led Milan to a Serie A title in 2011 and later won five consecutive league titles with Juventus between 2015 and 2019.

‎The club also recently appointed Tare to strengthen its leadership team.

‎”What I want to bring there is to win, to help my teammates in every aspect, to work hard, to earn my place in the team,” Modric said.

“Nothing can come easily in your life. You have to work. You have to fight.”

‎With Milan winger Rafael Leão holding onto the No. 10 shirt, Modric will return to the No. 14 he once wore for Croatia and at Tottenham Hotspur.

‎Leão was the Serie A MVP when Milan won the league in 2022 but has since performed inconsistently and clashed with the team managers.

‎”Leão,” Modric said, “is the present and future of Milan.”