Luka Modric may never step into a captain’s role or be the loudest on the pitch, but he talks with his playing style and his dedication. Modric is easily one of the highest-ranked midfielders to ever play the game, stringing together creative passes, scoring unbelievable goals, and working as the engine of Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga and Champions League competitions.
But, Modric wasn’t always comfortable in his new role on this super-star team. He had to change his attitude and playing style to fit with the current squad, coaching staff, and tactical decisions set forth by the gaffer.
Modric Adapts to Real Madrid Role
🔛 #UCL
💪 #APorLa15 pic.twitter.com/abT8ccc6Ai— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) May 27, 2024
To the delight of all Real Madrid fans, it has been confirmed that Luka Modric will stay at Real Madrid next year. Despite rumors that he might head elsewhere to ‘end’ his career, like Saudi Pro League or the MSL in the United States, Real Madrid fans can rejoice that he has decided to stay in Spain for at least one more season.
Carlo Ancelotti had a tough decision to make when it came to keeping an ‘older’ player vs. bringing in someone younger and newer who could develop with the club. But, Modric is just too good to pass up. The 38-year-old is definitely at the end of his career, but he has reassured the coaches, fans, and players that he feels really good and wants to continue playing at the highest level. Modric told Cadena Cope that:
It’s something different, it was difficult for me at first to understand it and assume this new role, but you can never assume it. I think I have handled it very well and I have done very well when it was my turn to play.
Modric is referring to his limited minutes and being used as a substitution for Real Madrid, instead of playing his usual 90 minutes week in and week out.
You have been playing as a starter all your life and as a very important player, but you have to face other situations and fight, because I am never going to give up. I had to fight and fight more when they needed me and I think I have done it quite well.
Being a player nominated for the Ballon D’or and commanding the Real Madrid and Croatian National Team midfield for years to going down to a substitution must be hard for such a legend of the game. But Modric is handling ti with grace and using it as just another challenge to help him adapt to a new style of play, role n the team, and ‘utility’ type of player.
My behavior when I trained, when I played, I gave 100%, as always, and it was not a problem for the team, for the coach, or for anyone. You always want to play but I haven’t been a problem, on the contrary, I have been an example in attitude in training.’
Modric Wants Real Madrid to be His Last Club
Even though he is nearing the end of his contract, and potential time as a professional, he doesn’t want to retire anywhere else but Madrid. Even if he gets less playing time as the years go on, he wants to spend his last year playing football at the Spanish club where he has done and won so much.
I have always said that I want Madrid to be my last club. I want to retire in Madrid, but let’s see what happens, let’s go little by little. I hope what I want happens. It would be a dream for me to retire in my home and in the club of my dreams.
As he said, let’s see what happens.
About the Author
Emma is an athlete and sports fan who currently plays professional soccer. Growing up, she reached a high level in track and field, distance running, and soccer on both club and university teams.
