When Luka Modric officially became a player of AC Milan, fans all over the world waited to see which jersey number the Croatian maestro would wear. Having spent more than a decade at Real Madrid donning the iconic number 10, many expected him to fight for the same shirt in Italy. Instead, Modric made a thoughtful decision — he embraced the number 14, a choice deeply connected to his personal history, while paying tribute to Rafael Leão, the current bearer of the Rossoneri’s number 10 shirt.
Speaking to the club’s official YouTube channel, the 38-year-old midfielder explained his reasoning. For Modric, numbers are not just digits on a jersey — they represent respect, heritage, and identity. He acknowledged that Milan has a tradition of reserving the number 10 for special players, and in his view, Rafael Leão has already proven that he deserves to wear it.
Few numbers in football carry as much weight as the number 10. At Milan, this shirt has been worn by some of the greatest legends in the club’s rich history. From Gianni Rivera, the Golden Boy of Italian football, to Ruud Gullit, who brought flair and dominance in the late 1980s, the number 10 has symbolized artistry, leadership, and game-changing brilliance.
In more recent years, the shirt has been passed on to other influential figures, and today it belongs to Rafael Leão. The Portuguese forward has become the face of Milan’s new generation, combining pace, flair, and creativity. For Modric, recognizing Leão as “the present and future of Milan” was not just a gesture of respect — it was also an acknowledgment of continuity, that the shirt must remain in the hands of players capable of shaping the destiny of the club.
By stepping aside and choosing a different number, Modric showed humility and wisdom. Instead of demanding the number he wore for Real Madrid, he embraced Milan’s traditions and celebrated his new teammate.The number 14 has a personal connection for Luka Modric that goes far beyond simple preference. Early in his career, before he became the world-renowned playmaker at Real Madrid, he wore the number 14 for the Croatian national team and during his time at Tottenham Hotspur. For him, it represents beginnings, growth, and a sense of identity.
In London, with Spurs, Modric first introduced himself to Premier League fans as a technically gifted midfielder with incredible vision and composure. Those years laid the foundation for his eventual transfer to Real Madrid in 2012. Similarly, when he wore the number for Croatia, he was still a young player full of potential, carving his path toward becoming the captain who would later lead his country to a World Cup final in 2018. By selecting the number 14 at Milan, Modric is not only revisiting his roots but also creating a bridge between his past and future. It symbolizes a fresh chapter, one where he continues to inspire and perform at the highest level, while embracing his role as both a leader and mentor in a new environment.
While much attention is given to Modric’s decision, his words about Rafael Leão carry equal significance. Modric described him as a player who represents both the present and the future of Milan. At just 25, Leão has already become a symbol of the Rossoneri’s resurgence in Serie A and European competitions. His electric dribbling, fearless attacking style, and ability to deliver in decisive moments have made him a fan favorite and a nightmare for defenders.
Modric’s recognition of Leão as one of the greats who deserves the number 10 jersey reflects not only Leão’s talent but also the importance of intergenerational respect in football. It is rare for a newcomer, especially one of Modric’s stature and reputation, to so openly praise and defer to a younger teammate. Yet this humility is exactly what has defined Modric’s career. Whether at Real Madrid, where he shared a dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, or now at Milan, Modric has always placed the collective above personal glory.
