THE "MARINA" RESTAURANT SECRET—LUKA MODRIC’S LIFE BEFORE GLOBAL FOOTBALL FAME REVEALED
Luka Modric discusses his secret to longevity at AC Milan and his humble beginnings in Zadar. Read about his 2026 World Cup plans.
Not many players can say they’ve done what Luka Modric has—and hardly anyone’s pulled it off for as long as he has. At 40, Modric looks like he’s having fun again, playing in Serie A with AC Milan after leaving Real Madrid last summer. Age doesn’t seem to bother him much.
Last season, he struggled to get into Real Madrid’s starting lineup, so he decided it was time for something new. Now, at San Siro, he’s back in rhythm. He’s started all 17 league matches for Milan this season, and his energy has helped push the team to the top of the table. He’s got one eye on the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and right now, he looks ready.
This week, Modric sat down with CdS for an interview. They asked him about his secret. MD quoted his answer:
“Love. Loving football, thinking about football, living for football. Alongside my family, football’s the most important thing I have. The secret is passion. Diet and training matter, but they’re not everything. To stay at the top, you need heart. I’m as happy training now as I was kicking a ball around as a kid.”
In Madrid, people always talked about how seriously Modric took care of his body—the guy’s a pro, no question. Off the pitch, though, he says he keeps things pretty simple.
“I love normality. A normal family, a normal life, just enjoying the little things. I don’t think of myself as special. Not once in my life have I felt above anyone else. If I hadn’t played football, I’d have wanted to be a waiter.”
That’s right—a waiter. Modric actually studied hospitality and trained at the Marina restaurant in Zadar during his first year. He served at wedding banquets, and he was good at it. Croatians drink a lot at weddings, he joked, and he was great at keeping the drinks flowing. Washing dishes, though—he could have done without that.
So, what about coaching? With all his experience, you’d think he might want to give management a shot. He says he’s open to it—maybe as a coach, maybe as a manager. He’s not sure yet. For now, he still feels he’s got more to give on the pitch.
One last thing: during the interview, Modric called Carlo Ancelotti the best manager he’s ever played for. He also had good things to say about Jose Mourinho and his youth coach, Tomo Basic.
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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