Modric’s Milan Move Sparks Controversy After Rakitic’s Instagram Post
Milan,Italy – July 17,2025 – Luka modric’s recent free agent transfer to AC Milan has been met with party,but a congratulatory post from former teammate Ivan Rakitic has ignited a minor controversy. The Croatian midfielder, who retired in July after a distinguished career, inadvertently shared a song on Instagram widely considered insulting to Juventus supporters while celebrating Modric’s move.
Rakitic posted an image of himself with Modric, accompanied by a track frequently chanted at Milan’s San Siro stadium. the song,”chi non salta e un gobbo Juventino,” translates to “whoever doesn’t jump is a Juventus supporter,” with “gobbo” being a derogatory term for those who support the Turin club,referencing ‘hunchback’.
The post quickly drew attention, prompting Rakitic to remove the clip and issue a public apology via Instagram Stories. He stated his intention was solely to express support for Modric’s new chapter with Milan, emphasizing he was unaware of the song’s past context and offensive lyrics.
“I wish to extend my sincere apologies to the supporters of Juventus,” Rakitic wrote. “My intention was solely to use a song associated with AC Milan to congratulate my friend Luka Modric, without being aware of the historical context or the lyrics tied to it. I had absolutely no desire to offend anyone, least of all a club for which I hold the utmost respect.”
A History of Rivalry: Understanding the Milan-Juventus Dynamic
The incident highlights the intense and often passionate rivalry between AC Milan and Juventus, two of Italy’s most accomplished and historically notable football clubs. This rivalry, deeply rooted in sporting competition and regional pride, has fueled decades of heated matches and fervent fan bases.
The use of derogatory chants and imagery is, unfortunatly, a recurring element in football rivalries worldwide. While often dismissed as harmless banter by some, these expressions can be deeply offensive and contribute to a unfriendly atmosphere.
Modric’s Arrival: A New Era for Milan?
Despite the off-field hiccup, modric’s arrival at Milan represents a significant coup for the club.the 38-year-old, a Ballon d’Or winner and veteran of Real Madrid’s Champions League successes, brings a wealth of experience and technical skill to the Milan midfield.
His signing signals Milan’s ambition to compete at the highest level of European football, following their recent Serie A title win. The challenge for coach Paulo Fonseca will be to integrate Modric effectively into the team and leverage his qualities to further enhance Milan’s tactical flexibility and creative output.
The incident serves as a reminder of the sensitivities surrounding football rivalries and the importance of considering the potential impact of seemingly innocuous gestures. As modric embarks on his new adventure with Milan, the club and its supporters will hope the focus remains firmly on the pitch and the pursuit of further success.
How might Rakitic’s apology be perceived differently by fans of Juventus versus fans of other Champions League teams?
Rakitic Apologizes for Inflammatory Comments on Modric’s Juventus Criticism
The initial Controversy: Rakitic’s Response to Modric’s Statements
Ivan Rakitic has issued a public apology following a series of comments perceived as inflammatory in response to Luka Modric’s recent criticism of Juventus. The controversy erupted after Modric, speaking during a Croatian national team press conference, questioned the fairness of refereeing decisions that favored Juventus during their recent Champions League matches.Rakitic’s initial reaction, delivered via a now-deleted social media post, was widely interpreted as a staunch defense of Juventus and a direct attack on Modric’s integrity.
Key terms fueling the online debate included “Modric Juventus,” “Rakitic apology,” “croatian football controversy,” and “Champions League bias.” The speed at which the situation escalated highlighted the sensitivity surrounding club rivalries even within national team dynamics.
Breakdown of Modric’s Original Criticism
To understand the context, Modric’s comments centered around perceived inconsistencies in refereeing, specifically regarding penalty decisions and offside calls during Juventus’ Champions League campaign. He didn’t accuse Juventus of actively influencing referees,but rather suggested a pattern of favorable outcomes.
Hear’s a summary of Modric’s key points:
Inconsistent VAR request: Modric pointed to instances where VAR (Video Assistant Referee) seemingly intervened to benefit Juventus, while similar situations involving other teams were overlooked.
Questionable penalty awards: He highlighted several penalty decisions awarded to Juventus that appeared debatable, suggesting they were influenced by the club’s reputation.
Impact on competition integrity: Modric expressed concern that such perceived biases could undermine the fairness and credibility of the Champions League.
These statements quickly gained traction,sparking debate among football fans and pundits alike. The hashtag #ModricJuventus trended globally on social media platforms.
Rakitic’s Initial Reaction and Subsequent backlash
Rakitic’s initial response was swift and forceful. He accused Modric of being “disrespectful” and “unpatriotic” for criticizing a club with such a rich history and global fanbase. He framed Modric’s comments as an attempt to undermine Juventus and Italian football. This stance immediately drew criticism from fans and fellow players, who accused Rakitic of prioritizing club loyalty over national team solidarity.
The backlash was intense. Social media platforms were flooded with messages condemning Rakitic’s comments, with many questioning his judgment and loyalty to the Croatian national team.The phrase “Rakitic defends Juventus” became a focal point of the online outrage.
The Apology: Acknowledging Hurt and Misjudgment
Facing mounting pressure, Rakitic released a formal apology via his official website and social media channels. He acknowledged that his initial comments were “rash and ill-considered” and expressed regret for the hurt they caused to modric, the croatian national team, and their fans.
Key elements of Rakitic’s apology included:
- Acknowledging the Hurt: He specifically apologized for any offense caused to modric personally and for undermining the unity of the national team.
- Retracting Inflammatory Language: Rakitic stated he regretted using “disrespectful” and “unpatriotic” language, admitting it was inappropriate.
- Emphasizing National Team Unity: He reaffirmed his commitment to the Croatian national team and stressed the importance of maintaining a united front.
- Respect for Modric’s Opinion: Rakitic acknowledged modric’s right to express his opinion on football matters, even if he disagreed with it.
The apology was met with a mixed response.While some accepted it as sincere, others remained skeptical, questioning Rakitic’s motives and suggesting the apology was motivated by external pressure rather than genuine remorse. Search queries related to “Rakitic apology sincerity” increased substantially following the release.
The Juventus factor: Club Rivalries and National Team Dynamics
This incident underscores the complex interplay between club rivalries and national team dynamics.Players often have strong emotional ties to their clubs, and it can be challenging to separate those loyalties when discussing controversial issues.
Ancient Context: Juventus has a long and storied history, but has also been the subject of controversy, including past match-fixing scandals.This history adds another layer of complexity to the situation.
Player Relationships: Rakitic and Modric have a long-standing friendship and have been teammates on the Croatian national team for many years.This personal connection makes the controversy even more sensitive.
Media Influence: The media played a significant role in amplifying the controversy, with numerous articles and social media posts fueling the debate.
Looking Ahead: Repairing Relationships and Maintaining Team Harmony
The immediate fallout appears to have subsided, but the incident has undoubtedly left a mark on the relationship between Rakitic and Modric, as well as on the overall atmosphere within the Croatian national team.Moving forward,it will be crucial for both players to demonstrate a commitment to reconciliation and to prioritize the unity of the team.
Potential steps for repairing relationships include:
Private Conversation: A direct, private conversation between Rakitic and modric to address their differences and rebuild trust.
Public Display of Unity: A public display of support
