Christian Comotto is now training and playing alongside Luka Modric, the player he idolised growing up, after the Croatian's arrival at Milan turned a childhood dream into daily reality for the young midfielder.
Modric joined the Rossoneri looking for a fresh chapter after a season at Real Madrid that brought no silverware and no Champions League football. For Comotto, still trying to establish himself in Serie A, having a player of that stature in the same dressing room is a rare opportunity at this stage of his career.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Comotto marked the moment by posting a few pictures of the pair together, including one of himself as a child. Modric then reshared the post himself, a gesture that clearly meant a great deal to the youngster.
There are 23 years between the two, yet fate has put them side by side in the same squad. Modric wants to prove he can still deliver at the top level, while Comotto is chasing his first real chance to show what he can do in Serie A.
The value of Modric's presence extends across the midfield. Ardon Jashari has already spoken about how the Croatian staying at the club would help his own development, and the same logic applies to Comotto. Shadowing a player of that pedigree in training and around the group offers a young midfielder a reference point that few academy graduates ever get.
For a talent like Comotto, learning up close from a Ballon d'Or winner may prove as valuable as any minutes on the pitch this season.