In a jaw-dropping move that’s got football fans buzzing, Luka Modric, the Croatian midfield maestro, has made an unforgettable entrance at AC Milan. Known for his silky skills and composure on the pitch, Modric pulled off a masterstroke off it by gifting every single one of his new teammates a brand-new iPhone— reportedly to dodge the dreaded initiation song tradition. The stunning gesture has left the football world in awe, with whispers that this could redefine team bonding in the sport’s elite circles. What’s behind this bold move, and how will it shape Modric’s legacy at the San Siro?

When Luka Modric, the 40-year-old Ballon d’Or winner, signed with AC Milan in a surprise transfer coup, expectations were sky-high. After a storied career at Real Madrid, where he won countless titles, including six Champions League trophies, the veteran playmaker was expected to bring leadership, finesse, and maybe a touch of Croatian charm to the Rossoneri. But no one could have predicted how he’d kick things off. According to teammate Santiago Gimenez, Modric sidestepped the club’s quirky tradition of new players singing in front of the squad by pulling out a move straight from a billionaire’s playbook. “As soon as he arrived, he gifted a new iPhone to every player,” Gimenez revealed in a post-training interview. “We walked into the locker room, and each of us had one on our seat. Usually, when you’re new, you have to sing in front of the team… he chose to buy us all a phone instead.”

The gesture, as lavish as it is clever, has sparked a frenzy among fans and pundits alike. Initiation rituals are a sacred rite in football, a chance for new signings to break the ice and show personality—often through hilariously off-key performances or awkward dance moves. For a player of Modric’s stature, who’s faced high-pressure moments like World Cup semi-finals, singing a tune might seem trivial. Yet, the midfielder, known for his quiet demeanor and dislike of the spotlight off the field, clearly wanted to make a different kind of statement. And what better way than with the latest iPhone, a gift that screams both generosity and tech-savvy swagger?

The locker room scene must have been electric. Imagine the AC Milan squad—stars like Rafael Leão, Theo Hernández, and Christian Pulisic—walking in to find sleek iPhone boxes waiting at their stations. Gimenez, the young Mexican striker, couldn’t hide his excitement when recounting the moment. “It was unreal,” he said, grinning. “You expect a speech or maybe some banter, but Luka just changed the game entirely.” The phones, rumored to be the latest model with cutting-edge features, are no small gift. With prices easily topping $1,000 each, Modric’s splurge for a squad of roughly 25 players could have cost upwards of $25,000—a drop in the bucket for a player of his caliber but a massive flex nonetheless.

This wasn’t just about dodging a song, though. Sources close to the club suggest Modric’s move was a calculated play to win over his new teammates and set a tone of unity. At 40, joining a squad filled with younger players, some half his age, Modric faced the challenge of integrating into a tight-knit group. His experience at Real Madrid, where he mentored young talents like Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo, likely informed his approach. By gifting something as universally coveted as an iPhone, he didn’t just avoid an awkward serenade—he built instant goodwill. “He’s a legend, but he’s also one of us now,” Gimenez added. “That gesture made everyone feel like he’s here for the team, not just himself.”

The football world is no stranger to extravagant gestures. From Mario Balotelli’s fireworks antics to Zlatan Ibrahimović gifting PlayStations to his AC Milan teammates in 2020, players have long used their wealth to make a splash. But Modric’s iPhone gambit feels different—less flashy, more strategic. It’s a reflection of his personality: understated yet impactful, much like his playstyle. On the pitch, he’s known for dictating games with precise passes and tireless work rate. Off it, he’s showing the same knack for reading the room. By sidestepping the initiation song, he avoided a moment that could’ve been trivialized or mocked online, especially in an era where every locker-room moment risks going viral. Instead, he turned a potential vulnerability into a display of generosity.

The move has also sparked debates about the role of wealth in football’s camaraderie rituals. Some traditionalists argue that buying your way out of an initiation undermines the spirit of the tradition. “Singing is about humility, showing you’re human,” one Italian pundit remarked on a popular football talk show. “Modric’s a genius, but this feels like a shortcut.” Others see it as a modern evolution, a sign that players like Modric, who’ve seen the game change over decades, know how to adapt. Fans on social media are divided—some call it a “boss move,” while others joke that Modric’s singing must be so bad he’d rather drop thousands to avoid it. A viral meme even quipped, “Luka’s voice is so off-key, he paid to keep it off Spotify!”

For AC Milan, this is more than just locker-room gossip. The club, chasing its first Serie A title since 2022, is banking on Modric’s experience to bolster a squad brimming with youthful talent. His arrival comes at a critical juncture, with the Rossoneri facing stiff competition from rivals like Inter and Juventus. Early signs are promising: Modric has already impressed in training with his trademark vision and composure, earning praise from manager Paulo Fonseca. “Luka brings something special,” Fonseca said in a recent press conference. “Not just his football, but his presence.” The iPhone gesture, while lighthearted, underscores Modric’s intent to lead by example, fostering a positive atmosphere as the team gears up for a grueling season.

The ripple effects extend beyond the San Siro. Modric’s gift has set a new benchmark for football initiations, with fans speculating about how future signings might top it. Will the next big transfer involve Rolexes or custom sneakers? More importantly, it’s a reminder of Modric’s enduring star power. At an age when most players have long retired, he’s not only competing at the highest level but also redefining what it means to be a teammate. His career, from war-torn Croatia to global stardom, is a testament to resilience, and this latest chapter only adds to his mystique.

As for the initiation song, don’t expect to hear Modric belting out a tune anytime soon. When pressed by reporters about what he would’ve sung, he flashed his trademark shy smile and said, “Maybe something by Oliver Dragojević… but I think the phones were a better choice.” Teammates seem to agree. Gimenez, still marveling at his new device, summed it up: “Luka didn’t just skip the song—he gave us something to talk about for years.” As AC Milan prepares for a pivotal season, Modric’s grand gesture has already scored him a win in the locker room. Whether it translates to silverware remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: the Croatian magician still knows how to steal the show.