Luka Modric was mobbed by football supporters after arriving in Perth for AC Milan's exhibition match against Inter Milan. Fans wearing Croatian jerseys filled the arrival hall at Perth Airport on Sunday, chanting the midfielder's name as they pushed forward for photographs and autographs.
The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner was greeted by a large crowd before Milan staff quickly escorted him from the terminal.
Modric, 40, has joined his teammates in Western Australia ahead of Wednesday night's Derby della Madonnina at Optus Stadium. The match forms part of the Calcio Italiano football festival, which has brought AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and Palermo to Perth.
Inter had received an equally vocal welcome earlier on Sunday, with supporters gathering outside the club's hotel despite the cold morning conditions. Fans banged on the lobby doors and chanted for the reigning Serie A champions after their arrival.
Modric's role under Amorim
Modric is beginning his second season with AC Milan after agreeing to remain at the club for another campaign. He trained throughout his break and arrived in Perth ready to begin pre-season preparations following his appearance at a fifth World Cup.
He is expected to play an important role under Milan coach Ruben Amorim, who supported the decision to retain the Croatian. The pair spoke several times by telephone before meeting in Perth.
Amorim said Modric's experience would be valuable as Milan attempt to build their style around controlling the ball. His experience will help young players develop, and it will be crucial in Milan's development, Amorim said, adding that Milan want to base their game on possession and that there is no one in the world more useful than Modric for managing it.
Final seasons approaching
Modric, who turns 41 on September 9, is expected to enter the final season of his professional career. The six-time Champions League winner is also preparing to end his international career when Croatia face Spain in a Nations League match in Split on October 6.
After that match, Modric is expected to focus entirely on Milan as he pursues what would be the 35th trophy of his career. His 2018 Ballon d'Or has been placed on temporary display at the Casa Milan museum as a gesture of thanks to supporters, and his Milan jersey has reportedly become the best-selling shirt in the club's official stores and online.
Midfielder Ardon Jashari also arrived at Milan's Perth hotel, while Koni De Winter and Alexis Saelemaekers were expected to join the squad.
Juventus and the wider festival
The festival continues after Wednesday's Milan derby, with Juventus facing Inter at Optus Stadium on Saturday night. Juventus have named a 31-man travelling squad headlined by Turkiye international Kenan Yildiz and United States midfielder Weston McKennie, both of whom faced Australia at the recent World Cup, with Yildiz featuring in Turkiye's 2-0 defeat to the Socceroos and McKennie playing for the US in their second group match.
The Juventus squad also includes Manuel Locatelli, Douglas Luiz, Bremer, Teun Koopmeiners, Francisco Conceicao, Randal Kolo Muani and Jonathan David. Juventus were due to play Chelsea in Hong Kong on Wednesday before travelling to Perth the following day, ahead of facing Inter on Saturday and completing the festival against Serie B side Palermo at HBF Park next Tuesday.
