AC Milan legend Alessandro Costacurta has praised midfielder Luka Modric for the leadership and charisma he has brought to a team that needed revitalisation and lacked personality. Costacurta believes players like Modric and Adrien Rabiot don’t just play football but teach it, and their leadership has added a vital dimension to a Milan team already rich in technical quality.
Modric off to excellent start since joining AC Milan
Modric joined AC Milan on a free transfer from Real Madrid and has since reinvented himself at the heart of the Rossoneri midfield. Transitioning from a traditional number eight to a deep-lying playmaker, Modric’s role now mirrors that once played by Milan legend Andrea Pirlo. Milan’s recent 2-1 victory over Fiorentina sent them to the top of the Serie A table, with former defender Alessandro Costacurta crediting Modric’s charisma and footballing intellect as key factors behind the club’s resurgence.
AdvertisementAFPModric brings what Milan have been missing – Costacurta
In an interview with , former AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta heaped praise on Luka Modric’s leadership and charisma, acknowledging the immense knowledge and experience the Croatian brings to the club.
“Modric has been teaching football for 20 years. AC Milan haven't had a leader with that charisma for too long. It's no surprise: from Boban to Ancelotti, everyone told me that, besides being a player, he's also a fantastic person,” Costacurta said.
He further stressed that Modric’s arrival has provided Milan with the leadership the dressing room had been missing, despite the team’s technical quality.
“Arriving in a team that needed revitalization and lacked personality was paradoxically positive: players like Luka and Rabiot thrive, they enjoy explaining football. Technically, the team has everything it needs to win, but it lacked leadership: not anymore.”
Praise keeps coming for ex-Real Madrid star
Costacurta is the latest on a long list of big names to have praised the 40-year-old. Former Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini praised Modric’s transformation, highlighting his ability to elevate the performances of those around him. Sitting just in front of the defence in Allegri’s five-man midfield, Modric influences both the attacking and defensive phases. In defence, he helps the team reset its structure and prevent counter-attacks, while in attack, he identifies passing lanes, orchestrates transitions, and remains a threat from set pieces.
His tactical intelligence and well-rounded skill set have drawn praise from coach Massimiliano Allegri, who believes Modric is “always one step ahead of his opponents.” His leadership and understanding of the game have also prompted former Milan midfielder and current coach Gennaro Gattuso to urge young Milan players, particularly Samuele Ricci, to learn from him.
Fellow Croatian and former Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic believes Modric’s longevity stems from his sheer love for the game, even at the age of 40.
Leao also impressing former Milan defender
Rafael Leao made his first Serie A start of the 2025-26 season at the weekend. The Portugal international, whose last home Serie A goal came in May 2024, had a quiet first half but came alive following the introduction of Santiago Gimenez. Allegri’s tactical adjustments gave him more freedom, and the Portuguese forward made the most of it, scoring from 30 yards out after receiving a pass from Pavlovic in space. Later, he converted a penalty in Pulisic’s absence, sealing the win for Milan.
Costacurta praised Leao’s quality and potential impact alongside Christian Pulisic. “For me, someone like Leao can never be left out. Now, however, I'm in a hurry: either he gives me answers or the others come on. Paired with Pulisic, they can threaten any defence.”
However, the Milan legend also challenged Leao to use this performance as a turning point for consistency. “Positive because it can help him score 15-20 goals, giving him the knowledge that playing further forward can unlock his potential. It's a way to approach the role with a new mentality. Negative because I don't want him to take his penalty and be content with it. You shouldn't take away his commitment.”