Rabiot ‘speechless’ at Modric, but AC Milan-Como in Australia is ‘completely mad’

Adrien Rabiot finds it ‘completely mad’ that AC Milan and Como are going to play their Serie A match in Australia, but he’s loving life as teammates with Luka Modric. ‘He leaves me speechless.’

The midfielder spoke to Le Figaro while back in France on international duty for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland.

He also commented on his current club experience, having returned to Serie A after his brief spell with Olympique Marseille.

TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 05: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus FC competes with Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“It’s a bit of a cliché, but it’s true, you really do eat wonderful food in Italy,” confessed Rabiot.

“The first thing they told me when I arrived at the Milanello training ground was how good the kitchen facilities were. I have to admit it, even if France remain superior overall in terms of gastronomy, Italy makes the best pasta in the world.

“In football terms, it is a country of connoisseurs. Italy lives for football, far more than in France, you can sense the passion of the fans. There are great clubs in France and great groups of fans, but in Italy it takes on another dimension entirely. It’s a lifestyle.”

Rabiot bemused by AC Milan vs. Como in Australia

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan hugs teammate Christopher Nkunku during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

This is also why the idea of playing the first ever Serie A match outside of Italian soil is a little bizarre, because the clash between Milan and Como in February 2026 is planned for Perth, Australia.

With San Siro out of action to host the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games, the clubs are travelling halfway round the globe as an alternative venue.

“I was surprised when I heard that Milan will play a Serie A match against Como in Australia! It’s completely mad,” Rabiot told Le Figaro.

“These are financial agreements to give visibility to the league, so it’s over our heads. There is so much talk about fixture lists and maintaining the health of the players, but it all seems absurd. It’s crazy to travel that far for a game between two Italian teams in Australia. We just have to adapt, as always.”

PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 23: Adrian Rabiot of France looks on before the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg Two match between Croatia and France at Stade de France on March 23, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)

The best part of the new experience with Milan for Rabiot is sharing a midfield with former Real Madrid icon Modric.

“He really amazed me. I see him training with such precision, professionalism, intensity and effort at age 40, it’s just remarkable. He’s humble, dedicated, always gives 100 per cent. When I see what he can do and he’s 10 years older than me, he leaves me speechless.”