Modric: ‘AC Milan next best thing’ to Real Madrid, recalls Chelsea near miss | OneFootball

Luka Modric reveals that while his dream was to retire at Real Madrid, he sees AC Milan as ‘the next best thing’ and a childhood dream, also looking back at when Tottenham refused to let him join Chelsea.

The midfielder was released over the summer at the end of his contract, just weeks before his 40th birthday, but has found a new lease of life at San Siro.

He sat down with Slaven Bilic for a podcast to discuss his career and this latest chapter.

Modric has found new lease of life at Milan

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Luka Modric of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I always said that my most sincere desire was to retire at Real Madrid. However, sometimes things don’t go the way you planned, and seeing as my desire to retire at Real Madrid didn’t happen, I had to think of what to do next,” said Modric.

“What happened, happened, I have no regrets. After Real Madrid, anywhere you go is a step down, that’s undeniable and any player can confirm it. I think that I have arrived at a club that, for its history and reputation, is very close to Real Madrid, so this is the next best thing as far as I am concerned.

“I grew up watching Italian football and Milan was my favourite club. When I thought that one day I might not be at Real Madrid, even if I couldn’t imagine it happening, I would think about where I’d love to play, and Milan were always in first place, right after Real Madrid.”

The Croatian has never disguised his childhood admiration for the Rossoneri, who at the time were packed with talents from his homeland like Zvonimir Boban.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 02: Luka Modric of AC Milan warms up prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

On the podcast, Modric looked back over the start of his career and how it took a while for him to become the eventual Ballon d’Or winner.

“They thought I was too short, so at Hajduk Split they did exercises to try to make me taller. However, I never lost belief in myself and I went to Dinamo Zagreb, which is where it really all started,” he explained.

The move to the Premier League was for Tottenham Hotspur in 2008, spending four years in London before the switch to Real Madrid.

MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 21: Luka Modrić poses at the Laureus World Sports Awards Madrid 2025 at Galería de Cristal on April 21, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images for Laureus)

“Chelsea had tried to sign me, but Daniel Levy was very clear with me that there was absolutely no chance he would let me go to the Blues. He said the only club he’d sell me to was Real Madrid,” explained Modric.

“I thought it was impossible that a club like Real Madrid could want me, but during the summer, I was told they really did want to take me to the Bernabeu. I was incredulous. Despite the promise made by the Tottenham President, that transfer was by no means easy. Perhaps I could’ve behaved better, but Levy had given me his word, and I wanted him to respect that.

“I had made my decision, and I was ready to refuse to play if he tried to stop me leaving.”

BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 11: Luka Modric of Real Madrid CF looks on during the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on May 11, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Modric won everything it was possible to win at Real Madrid, much of it under the guidance of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“If someone had told me when I arrived that I could’ve done all of this, and been so happy, I’d even have been afraid to write down everything that came true. It was incredible. I am not just talking about trophies or victories, but staying at a club like this for 13 years…

“I arrived when I was 27 years old and left at almost 40. Everyone knows what Real Madrid means, mediocrity is not tolerated here, so just lasting at this level for so long makes me very proud.”