The Croatian bond at AC Milan strengthened this summer with Luka Modric joining as a free agent, creating an exciting partnership with Christian Pulisic. Pulisic’s connection to Croatia is significant; his grandparents hail from the Croatian island of Olib. This connection enabled him to obtain a Croatian passport, which assisted his early career in Europe - allowing him to join Borussia Dortmund’s academy without needing a work permit.

Upon Modric’s arrival, he immediately asked Pulisic about speaking Croatian, captured in a video posted by the club. However, Pulisic humorously replied, “Only the passport is Croatian.”

“Only the passport is Croatian.”
Christian Pulisic on meeting Luka Modric

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In a discussion with the CBS Sports Call It What You Want podcast, Rakitic highlighted the potential benefits of Modric’s experience for Pulisic. He suggested that Pulisic should learn more Croatian and significantly absorb Modric’s footballing wisdom, both on and off the pitch.

Rakitic added, “Luka is someone who can control a game and elevate his teammates’ performance. I think Christian should take the opportunity to learn from him, not just during training sessions, but also in understanding how to manage PR and other aspects of being a professional at the highest level.”

Additionally, Rakitic shared his admiration for Modric and his accountability in football, likening his relationship with Modric to that of his experiences with other midfield legends like Xavi at Barcelona.

Reflecting on the upcoming 2026 World Cup, Rakitic encouraged Pulisic and the USMNT, led by Mauricio Pochettino, to embrace their talents without pressure, asserting faith in their abilities to excel.

“I hope it becomes the best World Cup in history. They just need to enjoy the game. They know how to play; the coach will assemble an amazing team.”