LOTS OF EXPECTATIONS ON LUKA MODRIC, AS REAL MADRID FACE-OFF PSG IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2ND LEG, AMID INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS.
All Eyes On Luca Modric, As Madrid Clash With PSG In Champions League Knock-Out Stage.
Around this time four years ago Luka Modric was being linked with a move away from Real Madrid. He intended to leave, according to reports in Spain, with Inter offering the Croatian a seductive deal.
Inter liked what they saw at the 2018 World Cup and had hoped Modric would be their player by the time he would eventually collect the Ballon d’Or later that year, a feat which ended the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly.
However, after careful consideration, Modric stayed in Madrid, a timely boost for the club who brought in head coach Julen Lopetegui but lost talisman Cristiano Ronaldo that summer.
Fast forward to the current day and Modric is nearing his 10-year anniversary at the club, and despite the fact his contract runs out at the end of the season, reports suggest Real want the 36-year-old to sign another one-year extension.
It is clear to see why. In this his 10th season at Real, it is fair to say Modric is as important as ever, or at least his influence on the side has not diminished.
A near ever-present in the Champion League, Modric has also started 19 times in La Liga this term, only missing out due to minor injury issues and a bout of Covid in December.
Since then he has been central to their ever-tightening grip on the league title, particularly on Saturday when he inspired their turnaround against Real Sociedad – assisting the first for Eduardo Camavinga before curling in a sublime second.
Modric is yet another athlete defying Time. He has already spoken of his desire to play into his forties, with his focus on physical conditioning a reason behind his longivity.
Of course, it also helps when you have Casemiro and Toni Kroos alongside you in midfield, a trio arguably unparalleled in world football.
“For me it’s a pleasure to play alongside Kroos and Modric,” Casemiro said after the 4-1 win over Sociedad. “They’re both great players who I really enjoy playing with.
“It’s all about how they look after themselves, how they train and work, and we still have a lot left to enjoy from Modric because he’s a great player.”
Next, Real must live to fight another day in the Champions League without Casemiro, who is suspended for Wednesday’s last-16 second leg match against PSG.
