Luka Modrić Delights Croats in Australia
The Vatreni captain was greeted with chants in Perth, and in an interview he also revealed his life motto.
The Vatreni captain was greeted with chants in Perth, and in an interview he also revealed his life motto.
Luka Modrić, captain of the Croatian national football team, received a warm welcome in Australia, where he was preparing with his club Milan for the new season. In the city of Perth, at the renowned Crown's Sports Bar, he was greeted by numerous Croatian fans who gave him a standing ovation and chanted his name, as reported by Hrvatski vjesnik from Melbourne.
A video posted on the newspaper's website shows the crowd's enthusiasm as they rose to their feet and chanted "Luka, Luka," to which the celebrated midfielder responded with "Bravo." On that occasion, Modrić gave an interview ahead of the friendly match against Inter, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
"So far, everything has been fantastic. It's great to see so many Croatian fans," Modrić said, commenting on the atmosphere in Perth. His arrival was a special event for the Croatian community in Australia, one of the countries with the largest Croatian diaspora in the world. According to data, around 250,000 Croats and their descendants live there.
This strong connection was also evident in the stands during the match between Milan and Inter, where many fans wore Croatian flags and jerseys, creating an almost home-like atmosphere for the Croatian captain.
During the interview, Modrić was also asked what advice he would give to aspiring footballers. His message was simple and powerful: "Believe in yourself, work hard, and never give up. That has always been my mentality, and I think young players should do the same."
Modrić's stay in Australia comes at a time when fans are wondering about his future with the national team. In a month, he will celebrate his 41st birthday, and he recently extended his contract with Milan until the summer of 2027, making it clear that he hasn't said his last word on the pitch.
After their time in Australia, Milan continues its tour. The club travels to Indonesia, where they will play another friendly match on Saturday, this time against London's Chelsea. This will be another opportunity for Modrić to showcase his form ahead of the new season.
