Roma wing-back Wesley has earned praise from Carlo Ancelotti as the Brazil coach weighs up his options ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

The Brazilian is enjoying a strong debut season in Serie A, quickly adapting to the tactical demands of Italian football under Gian Piero Gasperini. With 35 appearances, four goals and two assists across all competitions, Wesley has emerged as one of Roma’s standout performers following his summer arrival.

Ancelotti, who is preparing to finalise his squad after upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, admitted there are still only a handful of places available, and competition remains fierce, particularly in wide areas.

“There are four or five places still open, and we have many doubts,” he told SBT Brasil, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

Brazil boss Ancelotti praises Roma man Wesley

Despite acknowledging a relative shortage of traditional full-backs compared to previous Brazilian generations, Ancelotti singled out Wesley as a positive development.

“We have players ready in that position: the young Wesley is doing very well at Roma. For our team, I’m satisfied.”

His form in Italy has put him firmly in contention for a place in Brazil’s final squad, with the national team looking to refresh its options on the flanks. Wesley’s attacking output and ability to settle quickly in a demanding league have strengthened his case at a crucial moment in the selection process.

Ancelotti also hinted at tactical flexibility if doubts remain, suggesting he could deploy central defenders in wide roles to maintain balance.

“The most important thing is the team’s balance,” he said. “If you have a winger who pushes forward a lot, you don’t always need a full-back doing the same.”

Even so, Wesley’s rise offers Brazil a natural solution, and one that could yet secure him a place on the biggest stage.

Marco Palestra admitted he was surprised to receive his first senior call-up from Gennaro Gattuso, describing the opportunity as a dream come true.

The Cagliari wide player is one of the fresh faces in the Italy national team squad ahead of a crucial international break, and arrives with growing confidence after his recent performances at club level.

“I wasn’t expecting the call from Gattuso. It’s a dream for everyone,” Palestra told Vivo Azzurro TV, via AlfredoPedulla.com. “Of course I believed in it, and I’m very happy to be here.”

Reflecting on his development, the winger revealed he was not always seen as a physically dominant player in his youth.

“At Under-15 level I was a bit behind physically compared to the others. But my coaches never left me out or made me feel inadequate, and my family always supported me.”

Palestra: ‘Everyone welcomed me to the Italy set-up very well’

Palestra also described his first experience at Coverciano, praising both the environment and the support he has received since joining the senior setup.

“Everyone welcomed me very well and the coach made me feel comfortable straight away. The kind words from Silvio Baldini meant a lot, he helped me a great deal and gave me important advice. If I’m here, it’s also thanks to him and his staff.”

Italy are preparing for a decisive World Cup play-off clash against Northern Ireland, a match Palestra is already fully focused on.

“It’s one of the most important games in recent years. Even if it’s my first time here, I feel the importance and responsibility of wearing this shirt. We’re training well, I see a very focused group, but also mentally free, because the psychological side can make the difference.”

Michael Kayode has received a call-up to the Italy U21 squad after being overlooked by Gennaro Gattuso for the senior side’s World Cup play-offs.

The 2004-born defender, currently impressing at Brentford following his move from Fiorentina, has been enjoying a strong season in the Premier League. Despite that form, he was not included in Gattuso’s squad for Italy’s crucial upcoming fixtures.

Baldini calls Kayode up to Italy U21 after no Azzurri call-up from Gattuso

The full-back has instead been drafted into the U21 setup by Silvio Baldini and is expected to join the group in Tirrenia later today, as per FiorentinaNews.

His omission from the senior squad has raised some eyebrows, particularly given the form of several current and former Fiorentina players. Alongside Kayode, names such as Nicolo Fagioli and Federico Bernardeschi were also left out despite strong recent performances.

The decision has sparked debate over selection choices ahead of the play-offs, with the Brentford man’s continued development now set to continue at youth level for the time being.

Paolo Di Canio has reignited criticism of Rafael Leao, claiming AC Milan perform better without the Portuguese winger.

Leao is enduring a difficult period marked by inconsistent performances, injury concerns and reported tensions within the squad, including a recent disagreement with Christian Pulisic. Ongoing speculation over his contract situation has only added to the uncertainty surrounding his future.

Speaking at the Legends Trophy event, with quotes via the Corriere della Sera, Di Canio pointed to Milan’s improved output in Leao’s absence.

“Without him, Milan score more goals and look more solid: 21 goals in eight matches without Leao,” he said. “Will he get angry? I don’t care. He’s not my brother or cousin. I’ve got nothing against him.”

Di Canio questions Leao contribution at Milan

The former Italy forward also questioned Leao’s overall contribution beyond goals, suggesting the winger benefits from the nature of Serie A defending.

“He scores more by playing less as a striker because in Italy it’s easier. Defences aren’t that strong, so he can always find a moment. The issue is what you produce during the match beyond the goal.”

Di Canio insisted his comments were not personal, but rather aimed at raising standards within a Milan side still chasing the Scudetto under Massimiliano Allegri.

“If I had a lazy player scoring three goals per game, maybe I’d accept it. But Milan can’t afford that if they want to build solidity, not just on the pitch but in attitude. I’m not saying they should sell him, maybe he turns it around and I’ll be the first to admit I was wrong.”

Juventus are exploring a move to bring Randal Kolo Muani back to Turin, while Paris Saint-Germain are considering a potential swap deal involving Jonathan David.

Kolo Muani, who spent part of 2025 on loan at Juventus, remains keen on a return after a positive spell in Italy, where he scored 10 goals and felt valued by the club. His future, however, lies away from PSG, who have made it clear they are seeking a permanent solution rather than another loan.

The French striker is also expected to leave Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the season, regardless of their league status, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Juventus want Kolo Muani reunion as PSG consider David swap

Juventus are open to a reunion, particularly with head coach Luciano Spalletti a long-time admirer of the forward. The Italian tactician believes Kolo Muani’s movement and versatility would strengthen the attack, potentially alongside Dusan Vlahovic, whose own future remains uncertain.

PSG’s sporting director is reportedly evaluating a swap deal involving David, a player he previously worked with in France. Juventus, though, have mixed feelings about the Canadian forward and could be tempted by the opportunity to re-sign Kolo Muani, even if it means parting ways with David.

A deal would depend on several factors, including Juventus securing Champions League qualification and reaching an agreement on valuation, with figures around €40 million being discussed.

Luigi De Siervo has warned that Italian football is falling behind its European rivals due to outdated infrastructure, insisting modern stadiums are essential for the future of the game.

Speaking to Undici, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, the Lega Serie A CEO highlighted the scale of the issue.

“In our country we have the oldest stadiums in Europe, with an average age of over 70 years per venue,” De Siervo said. “Fortunately, the situation is starting to change, but the new economic model will not be fully operational for at least six or seven years. In the meantime, the gap with other leagues will continue to grow.”

Serie A CEO De Siervo wants modernisation ahead of Euro 2032

Italy is set to co-host UEFA Euro 2032, a deadline De Siervo described as impossible to ignore. Especially with a new stadium for Milan and Inter entering construction soon and proposals from both Lazio and Roma to move on from the Stadio Olimpico.

“We have a deadline that cannot be postponed: in 2032 we will host the European Championships. There are outstanding projects, such as the new stadium in Milan with an investment of over €1 billion, as well as important plans involving Lazio and Roma. Discussions are ongoing in Genoa, while in Florence there is a moment of profound transformation.”

De Siervo stressed that infrastructure is closely tied to financial growth, particularly as clubs look to diversify revenue streams beyond broadcasting. In Milan, for example, an entirely new San Siro complex will offer more commercial opportunities and is expected to boost revenue massively. It is no surprise that the clubs chose to work with an architectural firm that has worked on other huge stadiums in Europe, such as London’s Wembley Stadium.

“Right now we are going through the most difficult phase. Our clubs are still heavily reliant on TV revenue, but commercial income is growing. Having modern, state-of-the-art stadiums would provide a major boost in that respect.”

He also pointed to a broader shift within the industry, with new executives bringing fresh ideas into Italian football.

“Fortunately, football is now attracting managers from more advanced industries, introducing new skills, different visions and ambitious projects.”

For Serie A, modernisation is no longer optional, it is a necessary step to remain competitive on and off the pitch.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering another managerial change, with Roberto De Zerbi emerging as the leading candidate to replace Igor Tudor.

According to reports in England, Spurs are keen to accelerate talks and could even appoint De Zerbi during the upcoming international break, with the aim of having him in place for their next Premier League fixture away to Sunderland on April 12.

This follows on reports from earlier in the week that suggested the Italian coach would be signed on the condition that the club avoid relegation.

Tottenham eye De Zerbi to replace Tudor in the midst of survival fight

De Zerbi, currently without a club after his recent spell at Olympique de Marseille, is seen as both a short-term solution and a long-term project. Tottenham’s hierarchy view him as the right profile to begin a rebuild, particularly as the club battle to avoid what would be a shock relegation.

Results under Tudor, who replaced Thomas Frank in February, have been deeply concerning. The Croatian has collected just one point from his first five league matches, including a damaging 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in a direct relegation clash.

Tudor has won just one of his seven matches in charge overall, that coming in a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, a result that ultimately proved insufficient to secure progression.

The situation has been further complicated by personal circumstances, with Tudor absent from post-match duties following the recent passing of his father, receiving support from the club.

However, the defeat to Forest may prove decisive. With relegation now a genuine threat and the financial implications severe, Tottenham are seriously weighing up a swift change in the dugout, with De Zerbi the man they hope can stabilise the situation and steer the club to safety.

Milan are plotting a significant summer overhaul, with sporting director Igli Tare already identifying targets across multiple positions as the club look to hand Massimiliano Allegri the tools to mount a sustained title challenge next season.

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A Milan scout was present at the Dall’Ara on Sunday for Bologna’s clash with Lazio, monitoring two specific targets according to Tuttosport, via TuttoMercatoWeb. Defensively, Mario Gila remains a profile of genuine interest. In attack, it was Santiago Castro who caught the eye.

The Argentine striker has been one of Serie A’s more exciting forwards this season, and Bologna are well aware of his value. The Emilian club are demanding a minimum of €40 million for his signature, a fee that reflects both his age and his considerable potential.

West Ham, Forest & Milan do battle for Castro

That price tag has not deterred interest from the Premier League, with West Ham and Nottingham Forest both having registered their admiration for Castro in recent months. The financial firepower of English clubs could make the race a difficult one for Milan to win.

Castro is not the only attacking name on Milan’s summer shortlist. Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson have also been explored as the club cast a wide net in their search for a top-quality centre-forward to lead Allegri’s line next season.

With eight league games remaining and the Scudetto race still alive, the primary focus at San Siro remains firmly on the present. But behind the scenes, the groundwork for a busy summer is already well underway.

Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw by Sassuolo at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening, with a first half goal from Kenan Yildiz cancelled out by an Andrea Pinamonti equaliser in the second.

Late in the match, Sassuolo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric saved a Manuel Locatelli penalty, after a Jay Idzes handball.

Football Italia’s Man of the Match was Muric, for his penalty save and numerous other chances that kept Sassuolo in the game and earned them a hard-fought point. Meanwhile, Pinamonti, Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao also deserve praise for competent performances.

Juventus 1-1 Sassuolo – Player Ratings

Juventus: Perin 6.5; Kalulu 6.5, Bremer 5.5, Kelly 6 (Vlahovic 6.5), Cambiaso 5.5 (Miretti 5.5); Thuram 5.5 (Koopmeiners 5.5), Locatelli 5; Conceicao 7 (Zhegrova N/A), McKennie 5.5, Boga 5.5 (Milik 6); Yildiz 7

Best Juventus player: Kenan Yildiz – To nobody’s surprise, was once again the best Juventus player on the pitch. Took his goal well from the edge of the box to give the Bianconeri the lead and was unlucky not to have an assist, despite creating several great chances.

Lowest Juventus rating: Manuel Locatelli – Penalty miss aside, he was ineffective and struggled to leave his mark on the midfield. Then, when you factor in the penalty, which was saved well by Muric, turns into a pretty bad day at the office for the Italian.

Coach: Luciano Spalletti 6 – Couldn’t quite get his side to work right this evening, the coach will be frustrated after missing out on the three points. His substitutes added little to their efforts to score a late winner, aside from Dusan Vlahovic winning the penalty, although it was nice to see both Vlahovic and Milik back in action.

Sassuolo: Muric 8; Walukiewicz 5.5, Idzes 5.5, Muharemovic 7, Garcia 5.5; Kone 6, Vranckx 5.5 (Iannoni N/A), Bakola 5.5 (Lauriente 6); Berardi 6.5 (Doig N/A), Pinamonti 7 (Nzola N/A), Volpato 6.5 (Lipani 6)

Best Sassuolo Player: Arijanet Muric – The Sassuolo shot-stopper was in fine form tonight. The cream of the crop was his save to deny Locatelli from the penalty spot but he made another excellent save shortly after and was alert all evening.

Lowest Sassuolo rating: Jay Idzes – May feel slightly hard done-by when the referee judged him to have committed a late handball that saw the Bianconeri get a penalty. However, it was a careless mistake and he looked the shakiest of the Neroverdi back four this evening.

Coach: Fabio Grosso 7 – Did everything right to frustrate his counterpart this evening, tried not to disrupt the status quo too much with his changes but ultimately has Muric to thank for the point this evening.

One of Juventus’ forgotten stars was back on the field in Bianconeri colours on Saturday evening, when Arkadiusz Milik replaced Jeremie Boga with ten minutes left to play.

The Polish forward has been sat on the sidelines for nearly two years, having played his last match for the club in May 2024.

Since then, numerous injury setbacks have pushed the Pole right to the fringes in Turin but he made his return to the field tonight.

You can follow the end of the match, and relive all the action, as it happened, on our Live Blog.

Not just Milik, as Vlahovic returns to the pitch for Juventus

Meanwhile, even more positively, Dusan Vlahovic made his return from injury, replacing Lloyd Kelly at the same time as Milik was introduced, as Spalletti looked to snatch a late winner.

The Serbian has been absent since the end of November, and has been sorely missed, especially given the struggles of Lois Openda and Jonathan David.

With Vlahovic’s contract up in the summer, the end of the season is vital to prove he is worthy of a new deal in Turin, or to persuade suitors to take a chance on him.

Carlos Cuesta made no attempt to deflect responsibility after Parma’s damaging home defeat to Cremonese, accepting personal blame and acknowledging that his side produced a performance well below the standards that had made them one of Serie A’s more compelling stories in recent months.

The result is a serious blow to Parma’s survival hopes.

Having gone five games unbeaten and given genuine cause for optimism, back-to-back defeats to Torino and now Cremonese have left Cuesta’s side looking over their shoulder with eight fixtures remaining and the gap closing in.

The Spanish coach was forthright in his assessment.

“We have not yet spoken in the dressing room, but the feeling is clear, we did not live up to expectations,” he said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb. “We need to analyse and work to get back to the dynamic we had until two weeks ago.”

Parma 0-2 Cremonese – Cuesta accepts blame for disappointing loss

He was equally direct when identifying where things went wrong, pointing to a lack of sharpness in pressing and duels rather than any issue with attitude.

“The first person responsible is me, I need to look at myself carefully to help the players in the best possible way.”

Cuesta also highlighted a structural problem that has lingered throughout the season, the difficulty in connecting play through the midfield to the forwards.

“If you cannot involve the midfielders and progress the ball forward, everything becomes harder,” he said. “Even when we win the ball back, we need to be more precise in exploiting the spaces before the opposition reorganises.”

With the international break now arriving, Cuesta was clear about the priority.

“Above all we need clarity, the objective has not been reached and we know how difficult the remaining calendar is,” he said. “We must focus on ourselves, improve in every area, and concentrate on the most important points to get a result against Lazio.”

Strahinja Pavlovic and Youssouf Fofana were both in good spirits after Milan’s hard-fought victory over Torino at San Siro, with the Serbian defender playing down his stunning opener and the French midfielder offering an entertaining explanation for his goal celebration.

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Pavlovic, whose thunderous first-half strike set Milan on their way, was typically modest in his assessment.

“It was a great goal but also a lucky goal,” he said with a smile, via MilanNews.

His afternoon was not without frustration, however, the defender was also penalised for a penalty he claimed not to have seen. “I didn’t see it, I don’t know what to say. The goal is luck, the penalty is bad luck.”

Despite his self-deprecating take, he was generous in sharing the plaudits, singling out Fofana for special praise. “Today everything was done, great goal and a penalty. Fofana deserves the MVP award.”

Milan 3-2 Torino – Fofana explains his goal celebration

The Frenchman himself was characteristically candid about Milan’s first-half struggles, revealing that a sharp dressing room conversation at the break helped spark the turnaround.

“After the first half we understood that we had not been truly aggressive in the attacking phase,” Fofana said, with quotes again courtesy of MilanNews. “So we came back out with more desire and scored two goals.”

On his celebration, Fofana was entertainingly vague.

“It was a mix between Rafa and Pulisic, I dedicated it to them, well not exactly dedicated, but maybe I will score more goals,” he laughed.

The midfielder also could not resist a gentle dig at his teammate, revealing that Pavlovic’s spectacular strike was perhaps less surprising than it looked. “He shoots everywhere at the start of training,” Fofana said.

Massimiliano Allegri could barely contain his emotion after Milan edged a 3-2 victory over Torino, a result that keeps the Rossoneri firmly in the hunt for Inter’s lead at the top of Serie A.

The win was all the more significant given defeats against Parma and Lazio in the past month had briefly threatened to derail Milan’s title challenge at a critical stage of the season.

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Allegri was so wound up during the match that he was caught telling referee Doveri he would quit football, a comment he addressed with characteristic humour in his post-match interview, with quotes via MilanNews.

“It was the heat of the moment,” he laughed. “I am getting on in years and I would not want my heart to give out. The match was very important for us at that point.”

The first half was not straightforward, with Torino presenting real problems in the first 30 minutes.

“We were forcing play inside the field too much and conceding too many counter-attacks,” Allegri admitted. “In the second half the players grew physically too, which was not easy after the equaliser at the end of the first half.”

Tactically, Allegri shed light on Alexis Saelemaekers’ demanding role in his 4-3-3.

“He is our balance player, when we defend he must be the fifth, when we attack he must be the third forward. Sometimes he arrives at the end of games a little spent.” The introduction of Pulisic wide helped open up a Torino side with a compact central block.

Milan 3-2 Torino – Allegri defends Fullkrug and gives Pavlovic his flowers

Niklas Fullkrug was another subject of analysis, with Allegri defending the German striker while pointing to a broader truth about players who lack consistent minutes.

“It is not easy when you do not have continuity, the physical structure suffers,” he said. “He had a difficult first half but a much better second. Compare that to Ricci, who because of his physicality and mentality can come on at any point and immediately be in match mode. Players are different.”

The head coach was clear that Fullkrug’s second-half improvement was the kind of response he needed.

On Strahinja Pavlovic’s performance, capped off with a spectacular goal from range, Allegri was full of praise.

“He played a great match tonight, he has improved a lot,” he said. “He has character, soul, he defended well in open play. He is growing significantly and I am delighted.”

With the international break now arriving, Allegri took the opportunity for a light-hearted dig at his forwards.

“This week I ask nothing of anyone, the break is the only thing I asked them not to ruin for me. But the attackers will return to scoring in the decisive moments after the pause.”

Next up after the break is a trip to Napoli, second versus third, a match Allegri described simply as “a beautiful evening of football and sport.”

Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez made his first appearance for Milan since October, when he came on as a 70th minute substitute for Niclas Fullkrug in the Rossoneri’s 3-2 win over Torino on Saturday evening.

The former Feyenoord forward underwent ankle surgery in December following a recurring issue that had been plaguing his fitness.

After the surgery was a success, Gimenez began his road to recovery and rejoined full training with his teammates this month.

Milan welcome Gimenez back at crucial juncture

It is a welcome boost for both club and country, with the Rossoneri struggling up front as of late and Mexico preparing to welcome the FIFA World Cup to its shores in the Summer.

Fullkrug’s flat performance tonight will have only strengthened the Mexican’s position as he strives to play a pivotal part in the end of Milan’s season.

With the win tonight, Milan moved within five points of league leaders and fierce city rivals Inter, albeit with the Nerazzurri still to play this weekend – they travel to Fiorentina on Sunday.

Milan scored a quick fire double early into the second half to secure a 3-2 victory over Torino, temporarily closing the gap on league leaders Inter to five points ahead of the Nerazzurri’s match at Fiorentina on Sunday.

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Football Italia’s Man of the Match was Rossoneri defender Strahinja Pavlovic, for his phenomenal long-range effort to put his side 1-0 up and resolute defensive performance, despite giving away a late penalty after pulling down Simeone in the box.

Milan 3-2 Torino – Player Ratings

Milan: Maignan 6.5; Tomori 6 (Athekame 6.5), De Winter 5.5, Pavlovic 7; Saelemaekers 6, Fofana 7 (Ricci 6), Modric 6.5, Rabiot 7, Bartesaghi 6.5; Pulisic 6.5 (Gimenez), Fullkrug 5.5 (Nkunku 6)

Best Milan player: Strahinja Pavlovic – Despite giving away the late penalty, he more than made up for it with his efforts beforehand. Scored an outrageous goal from distance in the first half and worked really hard defensively to break up Torino’s attacks.

Lowest Milan rating: Niclas Fullkrug – Still yet to really settle in at Milan, the German stood in for the injured Rafael Leao tonight but did himself no favours in establishing a more permanent place in the team. Was largely very ineffective before being replaced with twenty minutes left to play.

Coach: Massimiliano Allegri 7 – Will be happy with the way his side dominated possession of the ball but will perhaps be disappointed that the chance creation is still missing something. His substitutes really helped Milan stay fresh, and Athekame even picked up an assist.

Torino: Paleari 5.5; Coco 5, Ismajli 5.5, Ebosse 5 (Kulenovic N/A); Pedersen 5.5, Vlasic 7, Prati 5.5 (Ilkhan 5.5), Gineitis 6 (Casadei 6), Obrador 5.5 (Nkounkou N/A); Simeone 7, Zapata 5.5 (Adams 6)

Best Torino player: Nikola Vlasic – Capped off an impressive midfield display with a late consolation goal from the penalty spot, the Croatian worked hard all evening, firing off attempts on goal, creating chances and also working hard defensively.

Lowest Torino rating: Saul Coco – Really struggled to win his individual battles on the right-hand side of the back three and his passing was also lacklustre.

Coach: Roberto D’Aversa 6 – Quite unlucky as despite their lack of possession, the visitors fashioned a number of good chances and perhaps deserved a point. Still showing signs of improvement under the coach, who seems to have no trouble in getting 100% out of his players.

Atletico Madrid have already made their move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, submitting a formal offer ahead of the summer transfer window as sporting director Mateu Alemany prioritises a new central midfielder.

According to transfer journalist Alfredo Pedullà, Atletico have tabled a bid of €35 million plus €5 million in bonuses for the Brazilian international.

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However, Atalanta are holding firm at a minimum fixed fee of €40 million plus add-ons, a stance that could push the total value of any deal towards €50 million.

Atletico ready to try and try again for Atalanta’s Ederson

It is not the first time Atletico have pursued Ederson.

The Spanish club attempted to sign the 26-year-old during the January window before turning their attention elsewhere after Atalanta rejected their approach. Their persistence suggests he remains their primary target heading into the summer.

Time is beginning to work in Atletico’s favour.

Ederson’s contract runs until 2027, meaning Atalanta will soon find themselves with a player entering the final year of his deal, a position that typically forces clubs into a difficult choice between selling or risking losing a valuable asset for a reduced fee or even nothing at all.

Should renewal talks stall, Atalanta’s negotiating position weakens considerably.

For now, a gap remains between the two clubs’ valuations, and any deal is expected to be revisited in the coming months rather than concluded imminently.

Luka Modric reached yet another remarkable milestone during Milan’s clash with Torino on Saturday, making his 550th appearance in Europe’s Big 5 leagues, a figure that places him second on the all-time list among players who debuted in the top divisions from the 2008/09 season onwards.

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According to OptaPaolo, only Antoine Griezmann has made more appearances in Europe’s elite leagues since that cut-off point, with the Atletico Madrid forward ahead on 555. The Croatian legend’s longevity at the very highest level is quite extraordinary.

Milan star Modric makes 550th appearance in Europe’s Top 5 leagues

Modric began his Big 5 league journey with Tottenham Hotspur, where he made 127 Premier League appearances between 2008 and 2012, scoring 13 goals.

He then spent 13 years at Real Madrid, accumulating 394 La Liga appearances and 30 goals between 2012 and 2025 before making the move to Milan last summer.

He has now added 29 Serie A outings to that remarkable tally, with two goals to his name in what has been an impressive debut season in Italy.

Now 40 years old, Modric shows little sign of slowing down, a fact that has been noted with admiration by former teammates, opponents and observers alike.

Alessandro Nesta recently described him as “a monster of humility” who applies himself with extraordinary dedication, while Andriy Shevchenko was similarly struck by his physical condition during a recent visit to Milanello.

You can follow all the action from Milan’s match against Torino on our Live Blog.

Parma chief executive Federico Cherubini made no attempt to defend his side after a chastening home defeat to Cremonese, openly acknowledging that the supporters who booed at the final whistle were entirely justified in their reaction.

The result is a damaging one for Parma, whose hopes of pulling clear of the relegation zone now look considerably more precarious with eight games remaining, especially with Cremonese picking up the three points.

The defeat makes it back-to-back losses after a run of form that had briefly raised optimism around Carlos Cuesta’s side, and Cherubini was in no mood to sugarcoat the situation.

Parma 0-2 Cremonese – Cherubini: ‘The boos were deserved’

“The boos were deserved and there is nothing to argue about, the picture is accurate,” he told DAZN, with quotes via AlfredoPedulla.com.

“I think it is entirely normal that supporters react the way they did to a performance like today’s. We must remain united in this moment and understand that the objective we thought was close is still very far away.”

Cherubini had issued a similar warning before the Torino defeat, and his message now carries even greater urgency.

“I don’t think it was a lack of concentration but unfortunately we come off the back of a very poor performance and the objective will be extremely difficult to reach,” he said.

The CEO did, however, identify one potential silver lining. The forthcoming international break arrives at a convenient moment for a squad badly in need of regrouping. “The pause comes at the right time to allow us to recompact the team,” he said.