BALLON D'OR WINNER LUKA MODRIC FULFILLS MILAN DREAM AFTER MADRID RETIREMENT MISS
Luka Modrić calls AC Milan the "next best thing" after failing to retire at Real Madrid, revealing the Italian club was his childhood favorite growing up.
Luka Modric recently shared that while he dreamed of retiring at Real Madrid, playing for AC Milan is the next best thing and has been a childhood dream of his. He also recalled a time when Tottenham blocked his move to Chelsea.
Modric's contract ended last summer, just before his 40th birthday, and he's found a new spark at San Siro.
He spoke with Slaven Bilic on a podcast about his career and this new chapter.
Modric said, I always wanted to retire at Real Madrid. But things don't always work out as planned, and since that didn't happen, I had to decide what to do next.
What's done is done, and I have no regrets. Leaving Real Madrid means taking a step down, that's for sure. But I think I've joined a club that's very close to Real Madrid in terms of history and reputation, so it's the best alternative for me.
I grew up watching Italian soccer, and Milan was my favourite team. Even when I couldn't imagine leaving Real Madrid, I'd think about where I'd love to play, and Milan was always my first choice, besides Real Madrid.
Modric has always admired Milan, especially since they had so many talented players from Croatia, like Zvonimir Boban, back then.
During the podcast, Modric reflected on his early career and how it took time for him to become a Ballon d'Or winner.
People thought I was too short, so at Hajduk Split, they tried exercises to make me taller. "But I never lost faith in myself, and I joined Dinamo Zagreb, which is where it all began," he said.
He moved to the Premier League to play for Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 and spent four years in London before joining Real Madrid.
Modric explained, Chelsea tried to sign me, but Daniel Levy made it clear that he wouldn't let me go to them. He said the only club he'd sell me to was Real Madrid.
I didn't think a club like Real Madrid would want me, but during the summer, I heard they really wanted me at the Bernabeu. I couldn't believe it. Despite what the Tottenham president had promised, the transfer wasn't easy. I could've acted better, but Levy had given me his word, and I wanted him to keep it.
I had made up my mind and was ready to refuse to play if he tried to stop me from leaving.
Modric won everything possible at Real Madrid, often with Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti leading the way.
If someone had told me when I arrived that I'd achieve all this and be so happy, I wouldn't have believed it. It was amazing. I'm not just talking about trophies or wins, but staying at a club like this for 13 years...
I was 27 when I joined and almost 40 when I left. Everyone knows what Real Madrid means; they don't accept anything less than the best. Just lasting at that level for so long makes me so proud.
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
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