Ruben Loftus-Cheek relishing prospect of playing with Luka Modric at AC Milan

Straits Times

8 hours ago

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (left) is looking forward to playing with Luka Modric, who joined AC Milan after 13 years at Real Madrid.
SINGAPORE – The last time Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Luka Modric's teams met in a match, the Croat was subbed off seven minutes before the Englishman came on as AC Milan defeated Real Madrid 3-1 in a Champions League group game in November 2024.
But soon, they will be sharing a pitch together, following confirmation on July 14 that Croatia captain Modric will be joining Milan, a prospect that Loftus-Cheek is relishing.
'I've played against him a few times. He's a Ballon d'Or winner, not many people can say that. He's a top footballer, he's had a top career and to have that kind of experience in the team and the quality of player, he's going to offer a lot to the team,' said Loftus-Cheek in a virtual interview on July 15.
'I'm very excited to welcome him here and to get to know him as a person as well because he's someone all footballers look up to – the way he's been able to stay at the top of his game for so long.'
The 29-year-old midfielder was speaking to local media ahead of Milan's pre-season friendly against Arsenal at the National Stadium on July 23, as part of the Singapore Festival of Football.
In Modric, Milan have pulled off one of the most eye-catching pre-season transfers in Serie A.
The 39-year-old joins the Italian side on a one-year deal, with an option to extend until 2027, after spending the last 13 years at Real, with his last game coming in the Club World Cup semi-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain on July 8. He is currently on a break.
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Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, he enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at Los Blancos, making 597 appearances and winning 28 trophies, including six Champions League and four Spanish La Liga titles.
In 188 appearances for Croatia, Modric has scored 28 goals. He was a pivotal figure in their historic run to the 2018 World Cup final. That same year, he won the Ballon d'Or – the first player apart from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to claim the honour since 2007.
The acquisition of Modric speaks volumes about the Rossoneri's ambition as they look to bounce back from a disappointing season. They finished eighth in Serie A, their worst league placing in a decade that also saw them miss out on European football.
The team have also turned to a familiar face as they seek to turn their fortunes around, welcoming back veteran coach Massimiliano Allegri.
The 57-year-old previously led Milan to the Serie A title in 2011, before enjoying a successful tenure at Juventus, where he won five league titles, five Coppa Italia trophies and reached two Champions League finals.
While Loftus-Cheek noted that the players are still getting to know Allegri, having only just begun pre-season training, he is excited to be playing under a manager of his pedigree.
He said: 'He's just getting to know other players on a personal basis, and developing the relationship with everyone, but you can see how he works, very intense when he works.
'He's won so many, so many things, so many trophies in the past that you can't help but look up to what he's done, and have huge respect for the manager.'
Loftus-Cheek is looking to put behind a tough season hampered by injuries and is eager for his third campaign in Serie A since joining Milan from Chelsea in 2023.
Reflecting on his time in Italy, he said: 'Two years, two campaigns now in Serie A and Italy, the football differs slightly, it is more tactical. Some teams how they play here is different to what I was facing in the Premier League.
'But that's why Serie A is unique and it's a challenge every season. It's a very tough league, and I'm really enjoying it. I'm looking forward to this new season, to see what we can accomplish.'
A strong season could open the door to a spot in England's 2026 World Cup squad, though Loftus-Cheek, who last featured for the Three Lions in 2018, is careful not to get ahead of himself.
Asked whether the World Cup was on his mind, he said: 'Potentially, but it's not at the forefront of my mind.
'A good season might help me get there, but I have to take it game by game. We work endlessly in training every day and make sure we perform. If everything is going well, it will take care of itself.'