AC Milan Boss Hails Modric: 'Top Player.. Technical Brilliance And Leadership'

Last Updated:July 21, 2025, 20:36 IST

AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri announced Luka Modric will join the team in August, missing the pre-season tour.

Luka Modric at AC Milan (X)

AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri disclosed that Luka Modric will join the team in August, which is why he has been left out of the squad that traveled to Singapore for their first pre-season friendly.

Modric joined the Serie A side after contributing to Real Madrid’s journey to the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup. Consequently, he was omitted from the squad for their pre-season tour, which includes stops in Hong Kong and Perth after facing Arsenal on July 23 to play against Liverpool and Perth Glory.

“We expect him to join us in August. He’s a top player who will add technical brilliance and leadership to the squad," said Allegri in the pre-game press conference.

Who Is Luka Modric?

Since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, Modric overcame a challenging start to become a legendary figure at Real Madrid. With nearly 600 appearances and almost 30 major trophies, including a record six UEFA Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns, Modric’s impact has been monumental.

Allegri has returned to AC Milan, having previously managed the team for a four-year stint between 2010 and 2014, during which he led them to a Serie A title in 2010/11 and won the Italian Supercup the following year.

Allegri’s latest tenure as head coach was with Juventus from 2021 to 2024, marking his second stint with the team. In his first stint, he won five consecutive Serie A titles from 2014/15 to 2018/19 and guided the team to two Champions League finals.

Milan reappointed Allegri after Conceicao’s five-month tenure left the team without European football next season.

The Italian coach is optimistic despite this setback, focusing on the positives.

“It’s a different situation than it was 15 years ago. It’s not only football that has changed, but the world in general. The positive aspect of not playing in the Champions League is that we’ll have more time to work and build a team. The negative is that we’re not playing on the big stage. But I’m a glass-half-full kind of guy, so we have time and the chance to work on qualifying. I’m confident in my players, because I think this is a talented group with a good mindset," he added.

(With inputs from IANS)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...

Read More

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