Former Croatian international Ivan Rakitic has expressed his happiness at seeing his longtime national team colleague Luka Modric playing for AC Milan at 40 years old. In a recent interview, Rakitic highlighted Modric`s qualities as a player and leader, recalled their first encounter, and credited AC Milan`s sporting director for facilitating the move.
Rakitic Reflects on Modric`s Leadership
Rakitic described Modric as a player who speaks infrequently but commands attention when he does: “He`s not talkative, but when he speaks, you should listen. He`s clear and serious. He can joke around, but he`s focused when it matters and pays attention to details.”
The former Barcelona midfielder went on to express his joy at Modric`s new chapter with Milan: “We spoke recently. Luka`s very content. He`s invited me to visit Milan. He says Italian football differs from Spain, but he`s enjoying it. He`s pleased with his teammates and life in Italy. His family is embracing this new experience, which is crucial for us players.”
Credit to AC Milan`s Management
Rakitic praised AC Milan`s sporting director for orchestrating Modric`s move: “Luka owes thanks to Igli Tare, who brought him to Milan. I thought he might finish his career at Real Madrid, but as his friend, it brings me great joy to see him at Milan. I`ll celebrate all his accomplishments, both personal and with the team, as if they were my own.”
When asked about Modric`s place among the all-time greats, Rakitic stated: “I`m not sure about top 10 of all time, but he`s definitely the greatest Croatian player in history.”