Few players can claim to have done it as well as Luka Modric, and even fewer for as long as the Croatian. The 40-year-old appears to be enjoying his football again in Serie A at AC Milan after leaving Real Madrid this past summer, despite his advancing years.
Modric struggled for a starting role last season at Real Madrid, and decided to move on, but has found his groove again at San Siro. Aiming to be in form for the 2026 World Cup this year in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the veteran has started all 17 of the Rossoneri’s 17 Serie A games, and his efforts have contributed to them being at the top of the table.
During an interview this week with CdS, Modric was asked what his secret was. MD quoted his answer.
“Love. Loving football, thinking about football, living for football. Football, along with my family, is the most important thing I have. The secret is passion. Diet and training are secondary. To stay at the top for a long time, you need heart. I’m as happy training as I was playing as a child.”
The gifted technician was notorious in the Spanish capital for his exemplary care for his body, and his professionalism. Modric explained that lived a fairly normal life off the pitch though.
“I love normality. A normal family, a normal life, the little things. I don’t feel unique. In my life, I’ve never thought, not for a second, that I was superior to anyone. If I hadn’t been a footballer, I would have liked to be a waiter.”