The Magic of Modric Continues

Amidst all of Real Madrid’s young talent, it’s captain Luka Modric who continues to set the records. The 39-year-old recently became Los Blancos’ oldest-ever player, surpassing Ferenc Puskas’ record.

Modric broke the record by coming off the bench in the 63rd minute in a 2-1 win against mid-table Celta Vigo. This cameo proved pivotal, as he assisted Kylian Mbappe for the match point just three minutes after coming on. He may not start every game as he once did, but his impact on the team both as a playmaker and leader is undisputed.

Life wasn’t always easy for the fan favourite in Madrid. In his first season at the club, Real found themselves eighteen points behind league leaders Barcelona by Christmas and, in a poll run by Spanish publication Marca, he was deemed La Liga’s worst transfer of the season. With just one goal and one assist up to this point, the 26-year-old was struggling to replicate the form that earned him his move from Tottenham. Having been converted from a left midfielder to a central player under Harry Redknapp at Spurs, he was now being deployed in a more attacking role under Madrid coach Jose Mourinho. Modric lacked the speed and physicality to play high up the pitch, struggling to control games in the same way he had in North London. All this changed in 2013 with the departure of Mourinho and the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti. Just one year later, Modric won the first of his record-breaking six Champions League titles against none other than local rivals Atlético Madrid. The Croatian had established himself as an integral part of the Madrid side — so much so that Ancelotti decided to build his midfield around him by bringing in Toni Kroos and Casemiro. It was in this trio that Modric would truly find himself, long beyond Ancelotti’s tenure. Under Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane, Los Blancos won three consecutive Champions League titles in a wave of European dominance which had not and has not since, been seen in the modern era of football.

Modric’s performances were equally impressive on the international stage. Croatia has a population of under four million, yet ‘the Cruyff of the Balkans’ was able to lead the country to their first-ever World Cup final in 2018. They may have lost out to a strong France team in the final, but the midfielder’s efforts certainly did not go unrecognised. Being named player of the tournament months after winning the third of Madrid’s Champions League three-peat, Modric won the Ballon d’Or the same year. It was only right that a player of Modric’s quality and legacy was the one to put an end to the dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He became only the third player to win the award since Ronaldo picked up the first of his five in 2008.

Real Madrid’s young superstars have struggled to live up to expectations this season, but the reigning domestic and European champions can always depend on their oldest stalwart to keep the team ticking.

Image from Calum Mayor