While Real Madrid is working to rejuvenate its squad for next season, a veteran, announced on departure, could ultimately extend the adventure.
At the end of the season, Luka Modric will have worn the Real Madrid jersey for fourteen years. Transferred from Tottenham to Casa Blanca in the summer of 2012, the Croatian playmaker has since brought his talent to the Madrid club and participated in the finest hours in the recent history of the Madrid team. But at the age of thirty-eight, the time to move on from Real seemed to have come and the possibility of a departure at the end of the season came up more and more often in the Iberian media. But the situation could well have changed.
At the end of his contract next June, Luka Modric is having a very good season, with performances still largely up to the level required for a Real Madrid player. And after Foot Mercato, the performances of the 2018 Ballon d’Or would not be without effect on the opinion of Carlo Ancelotti and the general impression of the Madrid management. The Italian coach had also clearly suggested that he wanted an extension to be offered to Modric, during a statement made to the press at the end of February: “ It’s in his hands. It depends on him. (…) He still has legs, energy. This is not the end of his career. »
Puskas and Mbappé as motivation
Not the end of a career, but where will the rest take place? The unknown remains. But for the media, a record to be sought could well tip the scales towards Madrid, in the mind of the Croatian. An honorary record since by remaining in Madrid next season, Luka Modric would have the opportunity to erase the name of Ferenc Puskas at the top of the list of oldest players to have played for the club. The legendary Hungarian striker currently holds this famous totem with a last match played in Merengue colors at the age of thirty-nine years and thirty-six days.
Luka Modric will turn thirty-nine at the very start of next season (he was born on September 9). If he is looking for another reason to stay, perhaps the probable arrival of Kylian Mbappé could also give him a desire for extensions.
