Luka Modric sends strong message to Christian Pulisic and AC Milan teammates about title ambitions

Luka Modric was officially unveiled as an AC Milan player on Monday, holding his first press conference in front of a fan-packed city of Milan. Speaking to the media, the veteran midfielder delivered a clear message to Christian Pulisic and the rest of the Rossoneri squad about the club’s expectations and ambitions for the 2025–26 season.

After spending 13 years at Real Madrid, Modric joined AC Milan on a free transfer this summer. With Pulisic one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season, new head coach Massimiliano Allegri turned to Modric to bring leadership and experience to a team that missed out on European competition.

When asked about his goals at the San Siro, Modric set a high bar: “We all remember Milan as one of the best teams in the world. We can’t settle for a mediocre season or qualifying for the Champions League. As for my vision for Milan, we also need to be humble: we need to work hard to bring the team back to the highest levels.”

Showing his leadership from day one, Modric made his expectations for the season crystal clear. “I’m very competitive; I want to bring this to the team. The minimum objective is qualifying for the Champions League, but Milan must fight to win trophies: that’s my goal, and it should be the same for everyone who works at Milan. But we need to stay humble and have a solid team,” he stated.

New sporting director Igli Tare played a key role in bringing Modric to Milan, with the deal finalized last month. After a brief vacation following his participation in the FIFA Club World Cup with Real Madrid, Modric was officially presented on Monday. He’s set to take part in his first training session at Milanello on August 5.

Modric’s Milan move years in the making

After rising to prominence with standout performances at Tottenham Hotspur, Modric made the leap to Real Madrid and became one of the most decorated players in club history. Over 13 seasons in Spain, he won 28 trophies—including six UEFA Champions League titles—leaving little left to accomplish at club level.

But even at 39, Modric says the excitement of a new chapter still motivates him. “Yes, regardless of age, there’s always time to get emotional. I recently had an emotional farewell with Real Madrid, and you can get emotional at any age,” Modric added.

Modric also revealed that a childhood connection to Milan helped influence his decision: “I grew up watching Italian football, and Milan were my favorite team in Italy: my idol, (Zvonimir) Boban, was there and did very well there. I’ve always had a special affection for the Rossoneri colours.”