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 And if Mourinho had not been so insistent, maybe Madrid would have withdrawn from the negotiation.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.
Argentina's first matches since Lionel Messi's national team retirement are reportedly set to be played entirely on home soil. Argentina’s national team is set to play its first matches since Lionel Messi‘s retirement from international duty entirely on home soil, according to TyC Sports. The AFA is finalizing plans for the upcoming FIFA window, running from September 21 to October 6, with the intention of keeping all fixtures within the country for the first time since the squad’s World Cup run. The shift comes after earlier plans for a proposed friendly against China collapsed. Chinese organizers had reportedly insisted on guarantees regarding Messi’s participation, and once he confirmed his retirement, negotiations between the two parties fell apart entirely. With the China fixture scrapped, Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Rosario have emerged as the leading candidates to host the two or three friendlies under consideration, with El Monumental and La Bombonera among the primary venues being weighed for the capital, alongside a third match expected in an interior province. The matches will carry extra significance as the first competitive action for Lionel Scaloni’s side since the squad’s runner-up finish at the 2026 World Cup, and the first without Messi in the squad following his August 31 retirement announcement. Gracias eternas, Leo. Te vamos a amar hasta el final de nuestros días 🩵🤍🩵 pic.twitter.com/7VVV2doDZP— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) August 31, 2026 Other possible absences alongside Messi The window also arrives amid broader uncertainty over the future of several veterans from Argentina‘s golden generation. Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez hinted at a possible exit after the World Cup final, writing on social media that “there’s still a lot to reflect on, and to see how things move forward and whether it’s time to step aside”. Leandro Paredes similarly left the door open to a departure, saying “it’s going to be difficult to continue,” while Nicolas Tagliafico has already confirmed the World Cup was his final tournament with the national team. With Messi, Tagliafico and possibly other key figures no longer part of the setup, the upcoming friendlies are shaping up as the clearest signal yet of the transition Scaloni’s squad is entering.
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.
Argentina faces a testing transition period as it attempts to move on from Lionel Messi's international retirement. Question marks also hang over the futures of Coach Lionel Scaloni and several aging players. Argentina currently has no fixtures scheduled for the two-week later this month but the Argentinian federation is reportedly planning a possible farewell match for Messi, the country's record holder with 125 goals in 207 games. The post Messi departure leaves Argentina facing rebuild after golden era appeared first on Soccer America.
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