Luka Modric was welcomed in Milan with open arms, even though he’d never played a single match in Italy. It felt like a homecoming, and that says a lot. What he brings isn’t just a big name, but a career that speaks for itself. The Croatian midfielder arrived after finishing his contract with Real Madrid, starting this new chapter with the same drive that’s kept him at the top for so long.
Speaking to the press for the first time as an Milan player, Modric didn’t hold back. He mentioned Zlatan Ibrahimović when asked about what he hopes to achieve. “I hope that something similar to what happened with Ibrahimović can happen. He arrived at 40 and won the Italian title.” Modric knows where he is and understands the expectations around him. He didn’t come to fill space. He came to compete.
A career built on consistency and trophies
Modric’s numbers are hard to ignore. Thirteen seasons at Real Madrid. 597 games, 43 goals, 95 assists. He collected 28 trophies there, including six Champions League titles, five Club World Cups, and four La Liga championships. In 2018, he was named the best player in the world. He helped take Croatia to a World Cup final. And through it all, he stayed relevant by adjusting, learning, and delivering when it mattered.
After closing his chapter at Madrid right after the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, he could’ve stopped or taken an easier path. Instead, he chose Milan, a club with tradition, pressure, and no room for comfort zones. On his first day, he made that clear too. “Seven-time European champions. There’s no room for a bad season,” he said. That kind of tone doesn’t come from a PR script. It comes from someone who knows what winning looks like and expects nothing less.
Milan’s current state and what Modric adds to it
The club won the Italian Super Cup in 2024, beating rivals Inter, but ended the season without qualifying for any European competition. Milan isn’t in crisis, but it’s not where it should be either. A reset is needed, and signing Modric fits into that.
His arrival is more than just a veteran signing. It’s an attempt to bring leadership and stability to a team that has potential but lacks experienced voices on the field. Milan has promising young players, but not many with the mindset or track record to guide them through high-pressure moments. Modric brings both. He’s not here to prove anything, but he’s still hungry. That matters in a dressing room that needs direction.
Modric also shared that he talked with Carlo Ancelotti before making his decision. “Carlo spoke very highly of Milan. I have a really good impression, no matter what others say. You can feel it’s a great club,” he said.
Ancelotti knows the club from the inside and has history with it. His words clearly played a role in helping Modric make a confident choice. At 39, picking the wrong club at the wrong time could affect the way his career ends. That’s not something he was willing to risk. Everything about this move points to a calculated decision, not one made for comfort or image.