While preparing for the new season with Milan in Australia, the Croatian captain revealed what motivates him and why he stayed at the club, and his old gesture from Leipzig has once again gone viral on social media.
Luka Modrić, the Croatian national team captain and AC Milan player, is currently on the other side of the world, in Australia, where he is diligently preparing for another season in his illustrious career. After a relaxed holiday in his hometown of Zadar, where he was filmed going down a water slide, the midfielder, now in his late 30s, shows no signs of slowing down and eagerly awaits new challenges in the Rossoneri jersey.
Although his Milan lost a friendly match against Chelsea 0:3, Modrić remains focused and optimistic. He is aware that the team is still gelling and that the true picture will only emerge once the competitive season begins. His popularity remains undiminished even in Australia, where he was warmly received by fans.
During these summer days, a video that perfectly captures Modrić's character has once again gone viral on social media. It's a scene from about two years ago, from Real Madrid's away match in Leipzig in the Champions League round of 16. After the game, Modrić was making his way through a crowd of fans to his car, holding a chocolate bar. That relaxed, human moment stands in stark contrast to his well-known professional dedication and tireless work ethic on the pitch.
When he got into the car, he didn't forget the driver who had been looking after his vehicle. He pulled out his wallet and rewarded him with a tip. The footage of that moment quickly spread across Instagram and drew numerous positive reactions. Referee Irfan Peljto from Bosnia and Herzegovina, who officiated that match, later recounted how Modrić greeted the entire refereeing team, confirming what kind of athlete and person he is.
Despite being in his late 30s, Modrić emphasizes that his competitive hunger is far from gone. In an interview with Dnevno.hr, he reflected on the past season and the missed opportunity. "I'm happy to still be here. Unfortunately, last season we didn't achieve the minimum goal of qualifying for the Champions League, which left me frustrated and disappointed. Maybe at one point we felt too confident and then suddenly dropped off. I want to create a better season for all of us," said Modrić.
The Croatian midfielder also revealed the main reason he extended his loyalty to the San Siro club. "I had a great time at Milan in my first year; the club and the fans showed me affection and supported me. That's the main reason I stayed. This is the best place for me; I want to continue enjoying the game, and I still feel the same passion and desire as always. Again, we want a better end to the season, and the only way to achieve more is by learning from our mistakes," he added.
Modrić didn't make the decision to continue his career at Milan overnight. He admitted that he wanted to be completely sure of his physical condition before putting pen to paper on a new contract. "I always had in mind that I wanted to stay for another year. In December, I could have signed, but I wanted to listen to my body and understand how I feel, whether I still have the same fire," he explained.
Once he received confirmation from his own body and saw how much the club's management wanted to keep him, all doubts vanished. "I got the expected answer, that I'm still doing well, that I want to continue, and that I have everything I need to move forward. When I also saw how much Milan's management wanted me, I eliminated any doubt. Milan showed me trust and affection during and after the World Cup, and that's all a footballer could want," Modrić concluded.
