Luka Modric Reflects on Mourinho’s Impact and Ronaldo’s Emotional Moments at Real Madrid

Luka Modric, the Croatian midfielder currently playing for AC Milan, recounted a striking incident from his time at Real Madrid involving manager Jose Mourinho, who was known for his rigorous coaching methods. Modric revealed that there was a moment when Mourinho made Cristiano Ronaldo, a player renowned for his dedication on the pitch, cry in the locker room because he had failed to chase down the opposing full-back during a match.

This anecdote was shared in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera and reflects the tumultuous yet impactful relationship between Mourinho and Ronaldo, which has been well documented. Modric played alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid for six seasons under various managers, including Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane, and Rafa Benitez.

Ronaldo, now 40 and playing for Al Nassr, enjoyed a prolific career at Real Madrid, winning numerous accolades, including five Ballon d’Or awards and four Champions League titles. His tenure at the club was marked by extraordinary achievements, including multiple domestic and international titles.

Mourinho, who signed Modric from Tottenham Hotspur, was instrumental in the midfielder’s development. Together, they captured the Spanish Super Cup, and Modric’s contributions significantly influenced the club’s future success. Reflecting on his experience, Modric described Mourinho as a “special” figure in both his coaching and personal approach.

“He was the one who wanted me at Real Madrid. Without Mourinho, I would never have arrived. I’m sorry I only had him for one season,” Modric expressed, highlighting the manager’s importance in his career.

Mourinho rose to fame during his first news conference with Chelsea in 2004, famously proclaiming, “I think I’m a special one.” Modric, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2018, enjoyed an illustrious 13-year career at Real Madrid, securing a total of 28 titles, including six Champions League titles and four LaLiga championships. In 2018, he led both Croatia and Real Madrid to significant victories, including the World Cup final and the Champions League title.

After a successful stint at Real Madrid, Modric signed a one-year deal with AC Milan last May. He noted similarities in coaching style between Milan’s current coach, Massimiliano Allegri, and Mourinho. Modric praised both for their honesty and directness in communication with players.

Allegri has previously led Milan to an Italian league title and enjoyed further success with Juventus. Meanwhile, Mourinho recently took over as manager at Portuguese club Benfica after a brief tenure at Fenerbahce.

Notably, Modric concluded his career at Real Madrid just three appearances shy of 600, making him one of the club’s top players in history. As for Cristiano Ronaldo, who remains a dynamic force at Al Nassr, he continues to pursue his goal of reaching 1,000 career goals and recently scored his 956th goal.