Leao’s Spark, Modrić’s Whisper: Milan’s Quiet Masterclass with Ibrahimović

Inside Milan: Ibrahimović’s Quiet Leadership and Modrić’s Impact

Swedish icon Zlatan Ibrahimović, Milan’s adviser, pulls back the curtain on Rossoneri life, discussing players he sees as future stars, deals that never closed, and others that have already shaped the team, with Luka Modrić taking a central role in this new chapter.

He also speaks about his evolving role in the club’s management, his view on the relationship between coach Massimiliano Allegri and the players, and Rafael Leão’s current form, insisting that “winning is the core of Milan, and no one can change the club; Milan changes everyone.”

In a wide ranging interview with the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ibrahimović mentions a handful of Milan players he believes can progress this season: Pavlovic’s upside, Jimenez’s goal potential once unleashed, Gashari’s high quality, and Ricci’s growth. He adds that the squad is a great blend of present and future.

But the surprise came when Ibrahimović revealed that French international Adrien Rabiot was very close to joining Milan in summer 2024, before choosing to stay in France. “Rabiot was supposed to join us a year earlier,” he said, “we tried, but he chose to play in France. We wanted him because he has the personality and experience every title chasing team needs.”

Modrić: the silent captain who reshaped the locker room

Regarding the Croatian star’s transfer and his impact, Ibrahimović stressed that Modrić’s influence goes beyond numbers on the pitch; he brings a winning culture into the dressing room. “Modrić is different. He leads on the field but does not dominate the space; even on a game where he’s not at his best, his mere presence gives the team something special. We told him: go ahead and do whatever you like.”

With a wry smile, he added: “Modrić has been playing this way for 20 years. Many stay at the top for two or three seasons and then fade, but only a handful stay at the summit for decades. Those are the real heroes, even if they don’t win the Ballon d’Or… one of them is in front of you now.”

From the pitch to the boardroom: Ibrahimović’s quiet managerial stance

The interview also covers his role within Milan’s framework after being named advisor to owner Gerry Cardinale in 2023, noting that he set clear conditions before accepting the job: be himself, be part of a long term project, and come to win. “That is the true reason I’m here,” he said.

He added that his day-to-day involvement didn’t radically change the club’s operations; last year he did more than expected not because someone asked, but because he felt the need to intervene. Yet he dislikes being enclosed in a cold administrative role and prefers direct conversations with people he must collaborate with.

Ibrahimović also pointed to the summer’s major structural shifts, including the appointment of sporting director Igli Tare and Massimiliano Allegri’s return to work with the club’s players.

“Igli Tare is doing well, always in touch with the coach and players. I visit Casa Milan and Milanello often, I speak daily with Forlani and Gerry Cardinale, who follow every detail and share the same passion. We study what’s needed to improve Milan, drawing up plans, and in the end the final call rests with Gerry, who trusts the team completely.”

“I learn in silence”: Ibrahimović the calm administrator

He adds that he participates in the club’s corporate and entertainment projects with RedBird, handling those areas with humility and a willingness to learn. “In areas I don’t know, I stay quiet and observe; where I understand, I speak a lot—perhaps too much,” he quips, smiling. “The difference between me as a player and me as an administrator is simple: I can see the full picture now, not just what happens on the pitch. I think about sustainability, the project, and the club’s broader image.”

Allegri’s balance and encouraging beginnings

Under Allegri’s guidance, Milan collected 13 points from six league games, sitting a point behind Napoli and Roma—the early signs looking positive for the new campaign. Ibrahimović explained that he has a relationship with the seasoned coach: “There’s a coach on the field, and if I can help without disturbing him, I will. I can be more of a friend to the players than a mentor, but I remain Ibra with experience.”

He added: “In the past I believed only in force; today I’ve learned that to reach players’ minds you need to be more flexible. Allegri knows how to handle groups, and we work in complete harmony.”

Leão’s cresting form, Turin’s frustration

Addressing reports of Allegri’s frustration with Leão after a goalless draw at Juventus, Ibrahimović confirmed: “I was in the dressing room in Turin. Everyone was angry, including Allegri, because we could have won. Leão was angry too because he wasted two key chances.”

“We must remember Leão was the best in preseason, but he missed time with an injury and now needs full fitness again. Yes, we expect magic because he’s truly magical. I’m not marketing that claim; I know football well. I watched him as a young player, and now he’s a father of two. It’s a long maturation journey, and I didn’t mature until I was twenty eight.”

“When we won the scudetto, I could say Leão almost won it on his own. He’s a special player, and we trust he’ll soon return to his peak.”

Milan: a winning culture that endures

Ibrahimović believes Milan is on the right path to rejoin Europe’s elite, praising the club’s summer-market moves. “The team feels more balanced this season; we learned from last year’s mistakes. We’ve won a trophy and reached the Italian Cup final, but we know who we are. Milan is built on a winning culture, and our aim now is to reclaim European prominence.”

He finished with a revealing line that sums up his football philosophy and life: “Winning is the essence of Milan, especially in Europe. No one changes Milan; Milan changes you. When you’re in Milanello, you feel victory in the air. Everyone there—from the coach to the groundskeeper—knows they’re part of a winning machine. After you live it, you’ll never be the same player again.”

Punchline 1: If Milan’s tactics were a sniper rifle, they shoot with precision and silence, then celebrate in a chorus only dogs can hear.

Punchline 2: Modric may be quiet, but when he speaks the dressing room tightens, the net twitches, and the scoreboard finally starts to smile.