Luka Modric has revealed the extraordinary role Jose Mourinho played in bringing him to Real Madrid, with the club icon insisting that the Portuguese manager’s return to the Santiago Bernabeu can re...
Leaving the door open for a return after he retires, Luka Modric revealed that Jose Mourinho was the "most important factor" for him to arrive to Real Madrid. Luka Modric established himself as one of the most influential midfielders in soccer history during his decorated tenure at Real Madrid, leaving a standard that the club has found difficult to replicate. While leaving the door open for a post-retirement return to the Bernabeu, Modric revealed that Jose Mourinho was the “most important factor” in bringing him to the Spanish capital. Following four standout seasons at Tottenham Hotspur where he consolidated his status among Europe’s elite orchestrators, Modric joined Real Madrid in 2012 for a €35 million ($40.6 million USD) fee. Initially, the transfer drew skepticism from critics due to the Croatian’s lower public profile, but as he locked down a starting role, he evolved into a club legend, a trajectory he insists would have been impossible without Mourinho’s intervention. In an interview with Diario Marca, when asked who supporters should credit for his arrival at Real Madrid, Modric singled out the Portuguese manager’s persistence: “The club in general, but I think Mourinho was the most important factor in my arrival, because he did everything, everything in his power so that I would be the signing of that summer.“ Modric elaborated on the manager’s pivotal role in pushing the deal over the finish line. “Madrid brought in (Michael) Essien on loan and only me as a signing. The negotiation with Tottenham was not easy. It was hard and long. And if Mourinho had not been so insistent, maybe Madrid would have withdrawn from the negotiation. But he was insistent and he wanted me. That is why I think he was the most important,” he added. Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho talks to Luka Modric. (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) Modric also acknowledged the role of club president Florentino Perez and expressed deep affection for him, while maintaining that “Mourinho was the first, and I will always be grateful for that treatment, for that affection from day one.” At the time, Mourinho was entering his third season at the helm of Real Madrid having already secured three trophies. However, the 2012-13 campaign proved to be Mourinho’s final year in Madrid after ending without a major trophy and falling in the UEFA Champions League semifinals, leaving Modric wishing for more time under his guidance. “The only pity was that I didn’t play under him for more than a year. But well, that’s life. I learned a lot in that year with him, but I would have liked to play for him for a longer time,” the Croatian midfielder noted. Modric to return to Madrid Currently under contract through June 2027 with AC Milan, Modric laughed off the idea of a playing return to Real Madrid under Mourinho’s current tenure, noting that “it’s too late now.” However, he made clear that he intends to settle in the Spanish capital after his playing days, with an eventual executive or administrative role at Real Madrid topping his list of desires. When asked about returning to the club after hanging up his boots, Modric openly shared his ambitions: “I hope so. I would like to. To be honest, I don’t need to hide it. Madrid is my home and of course one day I would like to return. But we will see how and in what role, if that happens.“ The veteran midfielder emphasized that if he eventually returns, he wants to make a meaningful impact rather than relying on his legacy, adopting a mindset to “work not in Real Madrid, but for Real Madrid.” He echoed Mourinho’s philosophy that any future role should focus on making the club even bigger. Regarding his long-term personal plans, Modric remains committed to returning to Spain, even if his exact post-career path remains undecided. “My intention is to return to Madrid and live there, but then you know how things go. You can never say anything with certainty. But hopefully, hopefully it happens,” he concluded.
The USMNT star has reportedly been included in Milan’s UEFA Europa League squad, adding another major competition to his schedule while the Rossoneri look to turn an ambitious summer into a successful campaign. Christian Pulisic is preparing for another European adventure with Milan as Ruben Amorim begins a new chapter at the club. The USMNT star has reportedly been included in Milan’s UEFA Europa League squad, adding another major competition to his schedule while the Rossoneri look to turn an ambitious summer into a successful campaign. Milan has plenty to look forward to after opening the Serie A season with two victories over Torino and Venezia. The club also enters the Europa League among the teams capable of going deep in the competition, with a squad strengthened significantly during the summer transfer window. The draw has given the Rossoneri an interesting route through the league phase. Benfica, Olympiacos, Ferencvaros, Salzburg, Sunderland, Bournemouth, Ararat-Armenia and Levski Sofia are the eight opponents awaiting Amorim’s side. Ruben Amorim’s side will begin at home against Benfica on September 16 before travelling to Salzburg in October. The Rossoneri will then face Bournemouth away, Ferencvaros at San Siro, Olympiacos in Greece, Sunderland at home and finish the league phase with trips to Levski Sofia and a home meeting with Ararat-Armenia. 🗒️ Save the dates, our @EuropaLeague fixture is now official! pic.twitter.com/NLWRm0BfSU— AC Milan (@acmilan) August 29, 2026 The competition could represent Milan’s clearest route to European silverware. The club has not won a continental trophy since 2007, while the reduced presence of some of Europe’s strongest sides makes the Europa League an especially attractive opportunity. Pulisic’s incredible European streak continues Amid Milan’s European ambitions, Pulisic has quietly reached another remarkable career milestone. The American is set to be involved in either the Champions League or Europa League during every season of his professional career in Europe, as confirmed by Opta and UEFA’s data. The upcoming Europa League campaign will extend Pulisic’s streak to 11 consecutive seasons of appearances in UEFA’s elite European competitions. His run began with Borussia Dortmund before continuing through Chelsea and Milan, making the achievement even more impressive considering how young he was when he first broke into European soccer. Pulisic made his Europa League debut for Dortmund against Porto on February 18, 2016. He later experienced the Champions League at Chelsea, famously winning the competition in 2021, before continuing his European journey with Milan. His almost certain inclusion in Amorim’s Europa League squad means that extraordinary run is set to continue. According to MilanNews, Pulisic is listed as No. 11 among Milan’s attackers, alongside Goncalo Ramos, Cisse and Omari Hutchinson. Milan’s squad offers Pulisic another European stage The UEFA list contains 22 players on List A, with several younger players eligible through List B. Christian Pulisic is joined by established names including Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, giving Milan a blend of experience and youth. Christian Pulisic and Luka Modric of AC Milan The club will also rely on younger players such as Francesco Camarda, Davide Bartesaghi and Vladimirov, who can feature through the separate List B regulations. That balance could become important as the team manages Serie A, the Europa League and the Coppa Italia. For Pulisic, however, the story is already remarkable. From Dortmund to Chelsea and now Milan, the 11-season European streak is another reminder of the consistency the USMNT star has maintained throughout his career.
AFA will pause every match in Argentine football to honor Lionel Messi after his national team retirement. AFA, Argentine football’s governing body, announced a tribute for Lionel Messi across the sport following his retirement from the Argentina national team. The recognition will extend to every match of the league, as well as all other categories and disciplines under the federation’s umbrella, both men’s and women’s. Every fixture will pause at the 10-minute mark of the first half for a full minute of applause, honoring Messi’s more than two-decade career with the Albiceleste. Stadiums equipped with big screens will also play an institutional video chronicling his time with the national team before kickoff. “It is decreed that in the next matchday of all categories of all men’s and women’s disciplines (11-a-side, Futsal, and Beach Soccer), the match will be stopped at the tenth (10th) minute of the first half and one (1) minute of applause will be given in recognition of Lionel Messi’s career with the Argentina national team,” the official bulletin, published under Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia’s leadership, read. Messi’s international career spanned 21 years since his 2005 debut, during which he made 207 appearances, scored 125 goals and provided 68 assists for Argentina. Over that span, he lifted the 2022 World Cup, the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal, and the 2005 U-20 World Cup. One life. One legacy.Thank you, Leo 🇦🇷🩵 pic.twitter.com/dF9532jSeI— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) August 31, 2026 Fans push to retire the No. 10, but face a regulatory hurdle The wave of tributes also reignited a request that has circulated among Argentina supporters since Messi’s announcement: retiring the No. 10 jersey permanently in his honor, so no player ever wears it for the national team again. The idea would leave the number forever associated with both Messi and Diego Maradona, the two players most responsible fThe request runs into the same obstacle that blocked it once before. FIFA regulations require official squad lists for tournaments like the World Cup and Copa America to use consecutive numbering from 1 to 26, with a number assigned to every player on the roster, meaning the No. 10 cannot simply be shelved.or turning it into more than just a shirt number. Argentina already tried this exact move ahead of the 2002 World Cup to honor Maradona, but FIFA rejected the request on those same regulatory grounds, and the number continued to be worn by subsequent generations of players.
Christian Pulisic and Fikayo Tomori are once again preparing to fight for trophies together after the English defender’s dramatic return to the first-team setup, but there remains one unresolved issue that continues to divide opinion around the club. The summer transfer window has closed, and Milan enters the new season with a refreshed squad, renewed ambitions, and an unexpected reunion. Christian Pulisic and Fikayo Tomori are once again preparing to fight for trophies together after the English defender’s dramatic return to the first-team setup, but there remains one unresolved issue that continues to divide opinion around the club. Milan invested heavily during the summer transfer window, bringing in Goncalo Ramos, Mario Gila, Diego Moreira, Omari Hutchinson and promising youngster Sankhoun Diawara, while also securing young striker Andrej Kostic before sending him on loan. The Rossoneri strengthened several areas of the pitch, spending significant sums to back Ruben Amorim’s project ahead of a campaign that includes Serie A, the Europa League and the Coppa Italia. Few expected Tomori to remain at San Siro after a summer in which he was repeatedly linked with Fulham, Newcastle, Aston Villa and other Premier League clubs. The defender even travelled to London on deadline day, but talks with Fulham collapsed, opening the door to a remarkable turnaround. According to multiple Italian reports, such as La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sky Italia, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Amorim personally called the 28-year-old to inform him that he would be reintegrated into the squad. Tomori, who has consistently rejected offers in recent years, was pleased with the decision, having always preferred to continue his journey at the San Siro. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates with teammate Fikayo Tomori The former Chelsea defender remains one of the last survivors of Milan’s 2021-22 Scudetto-winning team. His loyalty to the club, combined with injuries and transfer complications, ultimately convinced the Rossoneri hierarchy to bring him back into the fold. The key concern emerges in the middle of the story Despite making several additions, Milan finished the transfer window without signing another experienced central defender. Defence remains the area where many supporters believe the squad is still short, especially with a demanding season ahead. The club explored options such as Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio, Tiago Gabriel of Lecce, and Morato of Nottingham Forest, but none convinced the management enough to complete a deal. Fabrizio Romano eventually suggested that owner Gerry Cardinale, Amorim and the recruitment team agreed that no available player would significantly improve the department. “We have young defenders who need to play; we won’t solve everything in the first transfer window of my Milan life. Perhaps you’ll be surprised by some players. Everyone wants everything immediately now, but I’m old school; I have patience,” Amorim explained. Gonçalo Inacio of Sporting CP Milan place trust in youth and experience The Portuguese coach believes Milan already has enough options to rotate. Mario Gila, Koni De Winter, Strahinja Pavlovic, Matteo Gabbia, Tomori, Diawara and teenage prospect Vladimirov are expected to share responsibilities throughout the season. Diawara, who arrived from Troyes, is viewed as one of the club’s most promising talents. Vladimirov, born in 2008, is another player highly rated by Amorim, although neither has extensive senior experience. That strategy comes with risks. Injuries to key players such as Gabbia have already highlighted how thin the depth can become, particularly with European football returning to San Siro.
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