Latest news with #LukaModric
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Modric at AC Milan to 'stay competitive and in Europe' at 40
Croatia captain Luka Modric said Wednesday he had penned a one-year contract with AC Milan to "stay competitive and in Europe". "I'm happy to be here and I look forward to a new adventure," the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner told AC Milan's TV channel after joining from Real Madrid. Modric, who turns 40 in September, joined the Spanish giants from Tottenham in 2012, going on to win six Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and two Copa del Rey trophies. "I wanted to stay in Europe, to continue playing competitive football. I had some other offers but when Milan showed up for me it was clear from the first moment," he said. Milan finished a disappointing eighth in Serie A last season and will not play in European competition. But Modric insisted Milan remain "one of the biggest clubs in Europe". "Milan cannot be satisfied with average and needs to have the biggest goals possible, to win titles, to compete with the best teams in the world, that's why I am here." Modric signed a one-year contract, with an option for an additional season with the seven-time Champions League and 19-time Serie A winners. "I'm never satisfied, I always want more," he warned. "When you've experienced that feeling (of winning), you want to feel it even more. I still have hunger, desire, still wanting more." To explain his longevity, Modric said "the most important thing is the love for the game, for football". "That's what I still have, what I still feel in my belly, this fire, that's what pushes me ... there is no secrets, for me it's the passion, the love for football. I am never satisfied." The 2018 World Cup runner-up also spoke of his childhood memories of Milan. "When I was a kid, I watched the Italian league a lot, Milan was my favourite team," he recalled. "Also because Zvonimir Boban was there, who was my idol," he added, referring to his compatriot who wore the Rossoneri jersey from 1992 to 2001. jr/ea/gj
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lucas Vazquez announces his departure from Real Madrid
Following Luka Modric's recent departure, Real Madrid have now confirmed that another long-serving stalwart, Lucas Vázquez, will also be leaving the club. A farewell ceremony is set to take place in the coming days as the versatile right-back – who has spent 18 years at the Bernabéu - bids goodbye to Los Blancos. Advertisement Vázquez first joined the club's youth setup in 2007, aged just 16, and made his senior debut in 2015 after a brief loan spell with Espanyol. Since then, the Galician has been a reliable and consistent squad player for Madrid across a decade of service. In total, he made 402 appearances, scoring 38 goals and providing 73 assists. While often operating under the radar, particularly in later seasons where he featured mainly from the bench, Vázquez earned the respect of teammates and fans alike with his professionalism, work rate and adaptability. His honours list speaks for itself: 23 major trophies, including five Champions League titles, five Club World Cups, four UEFA Super Cups, four La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, and four Spanish Super Cups.
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Modric joins AC Milan after 13 yrs in Real Madrid
MILAN: Croatia captain Luka Modric, who left Real Madrid after 13 years at the LaLiga club, has completed his move to AC Milan on a one-year deal with an option to extend until June 2027, the Serie A side said on Monday. The midfielder's arrival was confirmed by newly-appointed Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri earlier this month. 'Very happy to be here to start a new chapter in my career,' said Modric, who turns 40 in September, in an Instagram video shared by Milan. Milan said Modric will wear the number 14 shirt, which he previously wore during his four years at English side Tottenham Hotspur to honor Dutch great Johan Cruyff. 'It's an immense honor for them to compare me to (Cruyff) ... I wore the no. 14 at Tottenham in honor of him, and because the no. 10 wasn't available,' Modric had said after winning the Ballon d'Or award in 2018. Modric, regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, announced in May that he would leave Real after the Club World Cup. He has made 597 appearances for the Spanish club, winning 28 trophies including four LaLiga and six Champions League titles. He played his last game for Real on Wednesday, coming on as a second-half substitute during a 4-0 loss to Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals. 'It's a bitter end ... he's a legend of world football and of Real Madrid. He'll be remembered for many more good things than for the 25 minutes he played today,' Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said after the match. Modric, considered Croatia's greatest player of all time, has represented the country a record 188 times, scoring 28 goals. He won the Golden Ball at World Cup 2018, where he led Croatia to the final for the first time. He won the Ballon d'Or in December that year, becoming the first player other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the prestigious annual award since 2007. Modric's arrival reinforces a Milan midfield that also features Youssouf Fofana, Yunus Musah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, with Samuele Ricci joining from Torino earlier this month. Milan, who failed to qualify for a European competition after finishing eighth in the Italian top-flight league last season, begin their Serie A campaign against newly-promoted Cremonese on August 23. — Reuters
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Modric Joins AC Milan
TDT | Manama 'A New Chapter' Begins as Legend Eyes Rossoneri Revival Luka Modric is officially an AC Milan player,and he's not coming to take it easy. The 39-year-old Croatian maestro has signed a one-year deal (with an option for another) after leaving Real Madrid, and he's made it clea that his goal is to help Milan climb back to the top of Italian football. Fresh off a legendary 13-year stint at the Bernabéu, where he won 28 trophies, including five Champions Leagues, Modric says he's excited for a 'new chapter' and ready to give everything at San Siro. "I'm very happy to be here," he told fans. "We hope to make you proud and celebrate many victories together.' Milan are in need of inspiration after a rough 2024-25 season. They finished 8th in Serie A, burned through two coaches, and missed out on European competition for just the fourth time this century. But with Modric bringing both class and leadership to a squad in transition, and Massimiliano Allegri back at the helm, hope is already starting to build.
Observer
a day ago
- Sport
- Observer
Modric joins AC Milan on one-year deal after 13 years at Real Madrid
Croatia captain Luka Modric, who left Real Madrid after 13 years at the LaLiga club, has completed his move to AC Milan on a one-year deal with an option to extend until June 2027, the Serie A side said on Monday. The midfielder's arrival was confirmed by newly-appointed Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri earlier this month. "Very happy to be here to start a new chapter in my career," said Modric, who turns 40 in September, in an Instagram video shared by Milan. Milan said Modric will wear the number 14 shirt, which he previously wore during his four years at English side Tottenham Hotspur to honour Dutch great Johan Cruyff. "It's an immense honour for them to compare me to (Cruyff)... I wore the no. 14 at Tottenham in honour of him, and because the no. 10 wasn't available," Modric had said after winning the Ballon d'Or award in 2018. Modric, regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, announced in May that he would leave Real after the Club World Cup. He has made 597 appearances for the Spanish club, winning 28 trophies including four LaLiga and six Champions League titles. He played his last game for Real on Wednesday, coming on as a second-half substitute during a 4-0 loss to Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals. "It's a bitter end... he's a legend of world football and of Real Madrid. He'll be remembered for many more good things than for the 25 minutes he played today," Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said after the match. Modric, considered Croatia's greatest player of all time, has represented the country a record 188 times, scoring 28 goals. He won the Golden Ball at World Cup 2018, where he led Croatia to the final for the first time. He won the Ballon d'Or in December that year, becoming the first player other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the prestigious annual award since 2007. Modric's arrival reinforces a Milan midfield that also features Youssouf Fofana, Yunus Musah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, with Samuele Ricci joining from Torino earlier this month. Milan, who failed to qualify for a European competition after finishing eighth in the Italian top-flight league last season, begin their Serie A campaign against newly-promoted Cremonese on August 23. — Reuters
