FROM ZICO TO MODRIĆ

On 1 April 2026, Brazil defeated Croatia 3-1 in an international friendly played in Orlando, United States. The match served as an important test for both coaches ahead of squad selections for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The evening was also marked by a moment that quickly went viral, involving Brazil head coach and former Rossoneri legend Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modrić, his former player at Real Madrid. After the final whistle, Ancelotti jokingly asked the Croatian captain: “You don’t happen to have a Brazilian grandfather, do you?”, playfully hinting at how much he would like to call him up for Brazil. Earlier in the day there had also been smiles and embraces between Casemiro and Modrić at Universal Studios. The two former Real Madrid teammates, who won numerous trophies together, shared a special moment, exchanging shirts and reminiscing about their glorious past.

While we wait to find out whether Modrić might indeed have a Brazilian ancestor, the “grandfather” of AC Milan vs Udinese is undeniably a Brazilian. The great Zico — il Galinho — is now 73, and in many ways could have been what Luka is today. Zico remains one of AC Milan’s great transfer dreams that never came true. In the summer of 1981, the Rossoneri board, including Gianni Rivera, attempted to bring the “White Pelé” to Milan from Flamengo, but the deal collapsed due to the Brazilian club’s financial demands. Zico would eventually light up San Siro as an opponent with Udinese. On 8 January 1984, during an unforgettable AC Milan vs Udinese clash that ended 3-3, the Brazilian produced a brace, including a spectacular overhead kick that captivated the San Siro crowd. Years later, Zico returned to play in Milan for the farewell match of Franco Baresi in 1997. Zico: a fantasy Rossonero. Modrić: a very real Rossonero.

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