MILAN — Luka Modric grew up supporting AC Milan as a result of his idol and fellow Croat, Zvonimir Boban, performed for the membership.
And since Milan within the Nineteen Nineties was one of many strongest groups in Europe.
So now that the 39-year-old former Ballon d’Or winner has joined the Rossoneri after 13 seasons at Real Madrid, he will not stand for the mediocrity that Milan displayed final season for an eighth-placed end in Serie A that excluded the squad from Europe this coming season.
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“Milan can’t be happy with common,” Modric informed Milan TV. “It must have [the] greatest targets attainable, to win titles, to compete with the perfect groups on the earth. And that is why I am right here.”
Modric was proven a photograph of himself sporting a Milan warmup go well with as a toddler.
“Once I grew up, I used to observe plenty of the Italian league and Milan was my favourite workforce,” he stated. “On the time in Croatia we adopted Milan lots as a result of it was one of the crucial standard golf equipment on the earth. And likewise as a result of there was Zvonimir Boban who was my idol.”
On Monday, Modric signed a one-year contract with Milan that features an possibility for an additional season.
“I wished to remain in Europe, proceed enjoying aggressive soccer,” he stated. “I had another affords however when Milan confirmed up for me it was clear from the primary second. … What additionally impressed me [was] how [sporting] director Igli Tare got here to Croatia to current me the venture.”
Milan rehired Massimiliano Allegri because the coach after final season, changing the fired Sergio Conceicao. Allegri gained the Italian league for the primary time with Milan in 2011, then guided Juventus to 5 straight titles from 2015-19. Tare was additionally employed lately.
“What I wish to deliver there’s to win, to assist my teammates in each side, to work exhausting, to earn my place within the workforce,” Modric stated. “Nothing can come straightforward in your life. It’s important to work. It’s important to battle.”
With Milan winger Rafael Leão holding onto the No. 10 shirt, Modric will return to the No. 14 he as soon as wore for Croatia and at Tottenham Hotspur.
Leão was the Serie A MVP when Milan gained the league in 2022 however has since carried out inconsistently and clashed with the workforce managers.
“Leão,” Modric stated, “is the current and way forward for Milan.”