“When he made Cristiano Ronaldo cry…”. Then the confirmation on Totti

In a handful of games at the beginning of the season, Luka Modric has swept away every little doubt about age and its possible contribution to Milan by Allegri. An incredible start to the season for the Croatian midfielder who has taken the Rossoneri’s midfield on his shoulders. Also thanks to the excellent relationship with Massimiliano Allegri: “Until he leaves the room I can’t tell you anything!”he states jokingly in the interview with Corriere della Sera by Cazzullo – Passerini. “Jokes aside, he has an incredible personality. He looks a bit like Ancelotti: sensitive, funny, loves to play pranks. But on the field, as a coach, he is great. He knows about football like few others. I didn’t know him that well, but I’m happy that he’s my coach today.”. Staying on the topic of coaches: “Mourinho? He’s special. As a coach and as a person. He was the one who wanted me at Real Madrid, Without Mourinho I would never have arrived. I’m sorry he only had one season.”

Modric: “Mourinho made Cristiano Ronaldo cry, he’s very direct like Max”

It’s impossible not to also talk about those who, with Modric, wrote the recent history of Real Madrid and European football, Ancelotti: “Carlo is number one. It’s difficult to find words. For his way of being, not just for his qualities on the bench. We have talked about Milan many times and Milan, when we were in Madrid. For him too this place was unique”. Then the memory of when they met: “I was alone in the city. He called me and said: ‘Come on, come and have dinner with me’. We talked for hours, about everything. About football, about family, about life. Usually coaches don’t trust players. He does.”. And among the three coaches mentioned, who is the toughest? Modric has no doubts: “Mourinho. I saw him make Cristiano Ronaldo cry in the locker roomsomeone who gives everything on the pitch, because for once he didn’t chase the opposing full-back. Mourinho is very direct with the players, but it is honest. He treated Sergio Ramos and the new arrival the same way: if he had to tell you something, he told you. Max is like that too: it tells you right in your face what’s right and what’s wrong. Honesty is key.”

“My idol was Francesco Totti.” Then the curtain call with Allegri

Modric goes on to talk about the comparison with Andrea Pirlo: “I thank them, the comparison honors me. Pirlo is six years older than me, he opened a path. But my idol, Boban aside, it was Francesco Totti. In Serie A you had fabulous players. I looked at them and said to myself ‘that’s the football I want to play’”. Today the situation of Italian football is very different and to go to the World Cup you have to go through the playoffs once again: “It’s not easy, the play-offs are two straight games, first with Northern Ireland and then if Wales or Bosnia win. But I have faith“. And as he finishes talking about Italy, from the door behind Modric Max Allegri emerges who smiles and hugs the Golden Ball saying: “Please, listen carefully to the teacher. He is always right.”