Leaves the future open
It was an unusual start to a new season for Luka Modric. The longest-serving professional in Real Madrid’s ranks sat on the bench in the first three LaLiga games and only came on as a substitute. “Nobody is happy when they stop playing. After all, for me, this feeling was particularly strange in my career, during which I’m not sure I’ve ever sat on the bench for three games in a row. But well, the coach decided that for his own reasons. I will certainly not sink or falter because of this. On the contrary,” said the 37-year-old in an interview with “Sportske novosti”.
For the “Royal”, the 103 million euro Jew Bellingham (20) and Aurélien Tchouaméni (23) have so far been placed in midfield; Federico Valverde (25) and Eduardo Camavinga (20) are also in the pecking order ahead of the veterans Toni Kroos (33 ) and Modric, who was only in the starting eleven for the first time on matchday 4 – as captain. “There are a lot of games (…), there will be room for everyone,” says the Croatian record international player with certainty. “And I will work as much as possible in this direction in order to be one of the protagonists this season too.”
Modric ahead of Ronaldo & Kroos: Foreigners with the most appearances for Real Madrid
15 Ferenc Puskás – Nationality: Hungary – 262 games
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Note: born in Hungary, also played for Spain
Gallery status: September 8, 2023
14. Gonzalo Higuaín – Nationality: Argentina – 264 games
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13. Hugo Sánchez – Nationality: Mexico – 283 games
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12. Uli Stielike – Nationality: Germany – 308 games
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11. Pepe – Nationality: Portugal – 334 games
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10. Casemiro – Nationality: Brazil – 336 games
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9. José Santamaría – Nationality: Uruguay – 337 games
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Note: born in Uruguay, also played for Spain
8. Raphaël Varane – Nationality: France – 360 games
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7. Alfredo di Stéfano – Nationality: Argentina – 396 games
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Note: born in Argentina, later also played for Spain
6. Toni Kroos – Nationality: Germany – 421 games
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5. Cristiano Ronaldo – Nationality: Portugal – 438 games
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4. Luka Modric – Nationality: Croatia – 492 games
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3. Roberto Carlos – Nationality: Brazil – 527 games
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2. Marcelo – Nationality: Brazil – 546 games
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1. Karim Benzema – Nationality: France – 648 games
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After eleven years with Los Blancos, Modric extended his contract by another year at the end of June. The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner emphasized that there were no disputes either before or after the signature. “Especially not from my side. Real expressed their desire to continue in the spring, and I had the same wish. We sat down together and quickly came to an agreement. It was like that at Real for twelve years and it can’t be changed. Our relationship is extraordinary.” For Modric, one point was decisive.
“My only condition for staying was to be treated as a competitive player, as I always was, and not to be kept in the squad in the name of past merits. It was my wish that all players had the same starting position and could fight and fight for their place on the field. “Just like it was at Real from day one,” explained Modric. “When the club and the coach said that nothing would change in my status, I signed.”
Modric with a new role at Real Madrid – leaves the future open
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti sought the conversation on his own initiative, Modric revealed. “We have maintained a very good relationship since his first term in office and also in this current term. (…) I am completely calm and I am aware that I have to work on myself as before and that sooner or later everything will work itself out. I mean, I’m aware that we have a lot of competition in midfield, that these young people are top players, that’s why they’re at Real. (…) It is completely undisputed that we veterans have to help them move forward and gradually take over the title roles at the level that this club ultimately aspires to. I have been active in this sense for a long time and am pleased that these young people (…) want advice and want to use our experiences. I remain firmly convinced that I can still play the way Real needs. Coach Ancelotti let me know that he agreed with it and had no doubts about the quality of the game and the approach.”
All Ballon d’Or winners since 1990
1991: Jean-Pierre Papin (Olympique Marseille – France)
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1995: George Weah (Paris Saint-Germain/AC Mailand – Liberia)
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1996: Matthias Sammer (Borussia Dortmund – Germany)
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2000: Luís Figo (Real Madrid/ FC Barcelona – Portugal)
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2006: Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus/Real Madrid – Italien)
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2012: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona – Argentina)
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2013: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid – Portugal)
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2014: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid – Portugal)
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2015: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona – Argentina)
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2021: Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain/FC Barcelona – Argentinian)
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However, if Modric continues to fall behind, he would consider leaving Madrid. “We will see how things develop as the year progresses. The most important thing is the interest of the team and, as always, I will act in that direction. If it turns out that I am no longer important, I would think about what to do next,” the Croatian clarified. “I repeat, I didn’t stay just to stay, I want to play football and have fun with it, like every day since I came to this fantastic club.”
Modric is not attracted by offers worth millions from Saudi Arabia, where striker Karim Benzema (35) has moved. “I also don’t need to boost my ego with these big deal stories. I just want to enjoy every moment in football and at Real and I don’t set any limits for myself,” said the midfield veteran, who admitted: “Without false modesty, there have been offers before as the interest is constant. However, from 2012 to today, my fundamental vision has been first and foremost Real. Only if Real had a different idea of me would I consider other options. My behavior over the last eleven years clearly confirms this.”
At Kroos’ side, Modric celebrated, among other things, four Champions League titles and three championships. “We don’t give up, even if we know that the end of history is near. It’s a natural thing. Although he is four years younger, he has different ideas about the length of his career than I do. In any case, Toni is a great guy, not only in a class of his own on the field and I am happy that we can enjoy the end of our careers together,” said Modric, who is not afraid of the end of his career. “But I am aware that it will be a very demanding change. There will be time for these thoughts later.” Then he would like to remain loyal to football. “I still have no idea what role. I have enrolled in the Academy of Coaches and hope to complete it in Croatia.”
Modric stands out: Most appearances for Croatia’s national team
20 Before Suker | 69 games for Croatia
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Stand: 1. September 2023
19 Dejan Lovren | 78 games
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17 Robert Jarni | 81 Games
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17 Niko Kranjcar | 81 games
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16 Niko Kovac | 83 games
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15 Robert Kovac | 84 games
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14 Andrej Kramaric | 85 Games
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13 Marcelo Brozovic | 87 games
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12 Mario Mandzukic | 89 games
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11 Mateo Kovacic | 95 games
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10 Dario Simic | 100 games
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9 Domagoj Vida | 101 games
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8 Vedran Corluka | 103 games
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7 Ivica Olic | 104 games
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6 Josip Simunic | 105 games
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5 Ivan Rakitic | 106 games
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4 Stipe Pletikosa | 114 Games
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3 Ivan Perisic | 127 games
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2 Darija Srna | 134 Games
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2023-09-08 19:07:30
#Real #Madrid #Luka #Modric #leaves #future #open #praise #Toni #Kroos
