"I will return to Real Madrid on one condition": Modric sends strong messages about "Cristiano at fifty", Mourinho and the Negreira case

He heaped praise on Bellingham

Milan player Luka Modric has confirmed that he still is and will remain a Real Madrid supporter, revealing his deep love for his current club since childhood.

In an extensive interview with the newspaper "AS", Modric said: "I feel good. I am very happy with my life in Milan. From day one, I received a warm welcome from the club and the fans, and that is what makes me happy. The city is beautiful, and it is different from Madrid, but I love it too. I am enjoying my time here and I am happy."

He continued: "Real Madrid is the greatest team in history, and Milan is a great team, the second most crowned side with European titles after the Royal Club, and this is proof of its greatness. It is true that they have not won the title for a long time, but they remain a historic club with a rich history, and all they need is to regain the level they were at in the nineties, the new millennium and beyond."

Luka added: "I grew up watching a lot of Italian football matches because Italy is close to Croatia, and I followed them passionately, as at that time it was perhaps the strongest league in the world, as is the case with the Premier League now, and it had amazing players. Milan was my favourite team when I was young, the team I admired. In the end, I never expected my path to lead me here, but life holds surprises for us, and here I am."

Ancelotti's advice to Modric

Asked what Ancelotti told him about Milan, he answered: "When we were in Madrid, we sometimes talked about Milan, and he would tell me about his experience and his story with Milan. He called me when he learned that I would not continue with Madrid, and that he would not continue either. He called me a few days later because he was aware of the Milan matter, as they had asked him about me."

On his retirement after reaching the age of 41, he said: "There seems to be a common idea that when one reaches a certain age, it is better to retire and step aside, but I do not see it that way as long as I feel content, because this is my life. I love what I do; I really love football, and I am happy and enjoy it. I have been doing this job for more than 30 years, I started as a child at six years old, and I know it cannot last as long as other jobs." He pointed out: "But for me, this is not a job, it is something I love. And when you do something you love, you do not consider it work. It is something I enjoy every day, and as long as I feel content and see that I can accomplish what is required of me or what I have to do, I want to continue. How long will this last? I know the end is approaching, but I do not know whether it will be this year or next year."

Cristiano Ronaldo is a phenomenon and a ferocious beast

Modric was asked about Cristiano Ronaldo, and whether he can reach 1000 goals, and he said: "No, no. Cristiano is an amazing player; he is a phenomenon, a ferocious beast, and I have no doubt that he will achieve this number. Everything he has done, everything he continues to do, the way he competes, and gives his utmost match after match, is something that inspires admiration."

He continued: "I hold a special affection for him because of what we achieved together at Real Madrid, and that is why I hope he reaches this number as soon as possible. But he still has at least another year, and I am sure, as I said, that he will do it. This is unbelievable. I do not know how long he will want to keep playing, but he will keep scoring goals even if he wants to continue until the age of fifty. His talent for scoring goals is amazing, and above all, his personality, his belief, and his self-confidence; all of that is unbelievable."

On the World Cup exit against Portugal led by Ronaldo, he commented: "It was a very frustrating loss. I think we played a great match, and we were the better team than Portugal, especially in the second half, and we could have settled the match early. As for technology, I think it is beneficial for football in some respects, but I see it being used badly and selectively, to determine who is the stronger or the like. I do not like talking about these matters, but in that match it was not only about the last goal, but also about the penalty."

Turning to the match between Spain and Croatia on 26 September and how far he might be involved, Luka said: "Well, first I have to decide and talk with the federation and the new coach who has just begun. We have an excellent relationship. I started my career with the national team with him in the under-21 team. The first person to call me up to the senior team was Zlatko Kranjcar, but after the World Cup, Slaven Bilic came, who is the current coach, and we spent six years together during which we achieved many things."

Mourinho's return to Real Madrid

On Mourinho's return to Real Madrid, he said: "You can see from the first few matches that this is a different Real Madrid, a terrifying Real Madrid, and that is what I like. I think appointing Mourinho was a very wise decision by the club, as he is the ideal choice for this position given the team and everything."

He continued: "He knows the club well, he is a winner, he has a great personality, and I have a special appreciation for him because he is the one who brought me here, and he is the most important factor in my joining. He told the club: I want him or no one else. That is why I hold all this affection and respect for him. My only regret is not working with him for longer."

He confirmed: "I worked with him for one year and learned a lot about how to perform my job to the fullest, how to fight, and how to give my utmost... His way of preparing for matches was amazing. I would go onto the pitch knowing exactly what would happen. I think he is the ideal choice, and that he will bring a lot of happiness to Real Madrid fans, and Real Madrid will be a very dangerous team in all competitions."

He went on: "Mourinho is special to me because of his struggle to sign me; this is something unforgettable. I would do anything for him. Although we do not talk much, we do exchange messages sometimes, but I always wish him all the best. I think he is in the right place because he is at the best club in the world, and he is one of the best coaches in history. This partnership is excellent, and it will certainly worry the other teams."

The love of the fans is Modric's greatest achievement

On the farewell of the Real Madrid fans, Modric commented: "I consider my greatest achievement, despite winning many titles, to be the love of the Real Madrid fans. It is hard for me to find the right words to express my gratitude for this great love. I felt it from day one, even during that somewhat difficult period when I arrived. I felt in the stands and in the streets the people's love for me, and this love grew stronger over time. For me, this is more important than any title."

Asked why he won more titles in the Champions League than in La Liga, and whether that ties to the famous Negreira case, Modric said: "Well, I do not know. It is a truly unusual situation. I will not elaborate on it because I do not like doing so. In my time, why did we win the Champions League more than La Liga titles? I think the reason is that we were not focusing on daily matters; we thought we had plenty of time to correct mistakes, whereas in the Champions League we knew we could not afford any slip."

He continued: "We did what we did in the Champions League because we knew that failure meant exiting the competition. In La Liga, we always thought we were able to make up the points, but Barcelona was very strong and would not allow us to. That is why I think we won fewer titles in La Liga compared to the Champions League during that period, but I would not change anything."

He went on, talking about the Negreira case: "Of course this is not normal, but I do not follow this topic much. It is not normal, but I think we also bear part of the responsibility for not winning more league titles."

The Ballon d'Or in 2018

On breaking the dominance of Cristiano and Messi over the Ballon d'Or in 2018, Modric said: "Yes, it is unbelievable, it is the greatest individual award ever, there is nothing greater than it. And winning it in an era of exceptional players like Cristiano Ronaldo, and even with other great players competing for it every year like Neymar and Karim Benzema, and many others. Winning it was a wonderful feeling. I feel overwhelming happiness and great satisfaction at having received the Ballon d'Or when I see the list of players who have won it."

He continued: "Also, being from a small country, it is always much harder for us compared to players from big countries like Spain, Italy, Germany and France; we have to make a double effort. This feeling makes me even prouder of this award. But I always say that the most important thing is the team, and that does not change. It is a wonderful recognition of the outstanding season I had with Real Madrid, and above all, with Croatia; and that is why I am very happy."

Asked who will win it this year, he answered: "Honestly, I do not know, and I do not want to mention anyone or determine who deserves it more. People vote and decide the winner. There are many candidates from Real Madrid and other teams. We will see who wins; I do not want to get into names."

On Mbappe, Bellingham, and Vinicius, he said: "They are wonderful. I am very happy with Vinicius renewing his contract with the club; it would not have been considered good had he not done so, given all that he offers. Kylian is amazing: the ease with which he scores goals, his speed and his agility are amazing... but the closest of them to me is Jude, because he is a midfielder like me."

Bellingham can be a captain

He continued: "Yes, Bellingham can be a captain. The Bernabeu crowd appreciates his dedication and loyalty on the pitch, as he gives his utmost. They do not only appreciate his talent, but also appreciate his work ethic. What he did in the World Cup and his start this year is amazing; I hope he continues in this manner."

On the possibility of returning to Real Madrid after retirement and working in any position, Modric said: "I hope that happens. Real Madrid is my home and will always remain so. I will always remain a Madridista because of what I lived through there. Those were the best years of my professional and personal life. I hope to return one day, but we will see in what role. I am a person who likes to master his work and to be useful. I would not return to Real Madrid just for my name, to be there without really knowing what I am doing. I cannot do a job like that. If I return, I want to be useful, important, and a key player in anything I do."