Anyone would say that Luka Modric is one of those Real Madrid youth bets (that so many revenues begin to give the white club) that, almost ten years after his signing, is reaching his footballing fullness. The extraordinary thing about the Croatian is not his moment, but the sustained performance that he maintains season after season, in the ten that he has already defended the madridista shirt. At 36 years old, Modric’s flame does not seem to go out. And nobody wants it to go out: neither Real Madrid, nor the player himself, nor its president. after the end, Florentino Pérez once again nominated him as the best player in the world: “Modric is in a position to win the Ballon d’Or again”, said the president of Real Madrid after the final against Athletic.
Modric has given himself a mass bath in the Super Cup. He is one of the veterans of the squad. The third captain of the team, behind Marcelo and Benzema. He is one of the most loved players by the fans. He has been one of the most acclaimed footballers by the Saudi public during Madrid’s stay in Riyadh. He collects praise from his teammates and his coach; its president is delighted to have him (“He is the best in the world in his position,” said Florentino, in a compliment that he extended to Courtois) and Even Luis Enrique would like to have him on his team. The coach, a single jury for the award for the best player of the match, chose him as the MVP of the final.
With the 36 years and 129 days with which he played the final, Modric has become this Super Cup the ninth oldest footballer to play a game with Real Madrid, surpassing Chendo and Miguel Muñoz in soccer longevity. He scored his first goal this season, which didn’t come earlier because he hit the woodwork twice in a row (against Valencia and Getafe), and lifted his 18th title as a Real Madrid player: four European Cups, four Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, two Leagues, one Copa del Rey and this, his fourth Spanish Super Cup, precisely the first trophy he lifted, in August 2012, as a white player.
His performance in the final sparked debate about his renewal. Modric has entered that phase of renewing season after season. He did it last season, when he extended his contract until June 2022. And his continuity until 2023 will not present obstacles on his part: “Surely we are going to do what we think is best for both of us. It didn’t take us two minutes to reach an agreement. I’m not thinking about that right now. My wishes are known, I hope the club does too”, he said convinced after the final. Path of another year at the summit.