Vlatko Vucetic, Professor at the Zagreb Faculty of Kinesiology. Modric's secret has a name and surname. The Ballon d'Or midfielder has been working for five years with this eminence of his country, following an exhaustive diet and physical preparation program parallel to the one he does at Real Madrid and which has the light player performing like a 25-year-old footballer. At 35, he is the third outfield player with the most minutes (1,070) of Zidane's team. Only Benzema (1,094) and Varane (1,350) surpass him. His last month has been to frame: since November 8, he has started six games in a row, with 519 minutes out of 540 possible, 96.11%. And we still have to add the 193 out of 270 (71.48%) with Croatia in the break.
Modric began working with Vucetic to prepare for the 2018 World Cup in which Croatia was ultimately a finalist. At that moment, the Madridista realized that the preparation that he followed to be able to play at the highest level seven games in a month worked, and he continued with him. Vucetic is one of the greatest eminences of sportsman's physical care in Europe, and he also has the title of coach, his profession frustrated. His method focuses on finding the perfect balance point for the player's body … With Modric he has hit the key. The work of the Croatian mixes the physical and mental aspects.
Modric's attitude at Real Madrid is being exemplary. In his last year of contract, from January he can negotiate with any club because the FIFA Statutes allow it. But he has no intention of doing so. He wants to sign again with Real Madrid and, contrary to what happens with Ramos, he does not mind doing it from year to year. His dream is to retire wearing the white of the team he signed for in 2012, from Tottenham, for 30 million euros. It was a personal bet by Mourinho and Mijatovic had a lot to do (because of the friendship he had with Franco Baldini, then sports director of the spur entity), with his arrival. Few footballers have been so profitable for the white entity as this one that managed to break the Cristiano-Messi duopoly with the Ballon d'Or in 2018.
It is strange that Real Madrid still has not called the Croatian to sit down to negotiate a renewal for which Modric will not put any problem beyond maintaining his salary, which after winning the Ballon d'Or became eight million euros net to the year. Moreover, the midfielder is, along with Ramos, the absolute leader of a dressing room in which there is a lot of youth (Rodrygo, Vinicius, Valverde, Asensio….) But lack of references.
In the club the willingness to renew is also good, but they still count how will the salary mass be for next season, in which it will be necessary to make room for strong names such as Mbappé or Camavinga. Or, at least, that's the intention.
Modric has the endorsement of Zidane. The chemistry between the two is total, and has not diminished despite the fact that the French began to dose the medium since last season. “I've played with great coaches,” Modric said recently in an interview on FourFourTwo. “Everyone has helped me grow as a player, but if you make me choose one, I will stay with Zidane. My relationship with him is more special than with any other. We have won many titles together at Real Madrid and I think they have been able to get my best football out of it. “ Only one call from Madrid is missing so that they can continue their relationship. “I have been here for eight seasons, eight great seasons and I have forged a very good relationship with everyone at the club. Whatever happens, there will be no problem ”, the player has come to say. Of course, the fans are crying out for it. 89% believe they should renew after the AS.com poll.