Luka Modric, a key man in achieving the 34th Real Madrid League title, gave an extensive interview to the Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti during the rest days he is spending in his native country, where he takes stock of the season and talks about Her future.
League title
“It fills me with happiness and satisfaction to win my second league. I have 16 titles with Real, four Champions, but this League makes me especially happy. We should have won more Leagues because we played some championships very badly ”
Confinement
“When we were locked in our houses we all trained. When I spoke to the teammates I noticed that they all worked with extra motivation and when we returned to training together I felt an even stronger connection between the players, enjoying being together and in top shape. We did an excellent job after confinement and had continuity in the game throughout the year. The 10 wins to follow speak of what this Madrid has been ”.
Top 10 wins in a row
“Honestly, I have to admit that I didn't think we were going to win 10 games because LaLiga is very strong and it is very difficult to make a series like that. But in different conditions, without an audience and in our smallest field, we did very well. We prepare the matches very well, we play very compact and solid, concentrating as much as possible on defense and making a very competitive football ”.
The relationship with Sergio Ramos
“My brother Sergio is a phenomenon. In these eight years together we have created a very special relationship, we bring our families together, we go on vacation together … We have had fantastic experiences in soccer and many successes. Ramos is a 34 year old rock. When you see him work you appreciate how dedicated he is and how obsessed he is with success. He is the leader and the best defender in the world, his career says it all. ”
The strength of the group
I would not highlight anyone because I think this Real's greatest strength was the group. Everyone contributed to the title in their own way, including all the new players that came, these young forces like Vinicius, Rodrygo …
Hazard
At Chelsea I loved it, but since he came he has had no luck with injuries. I was eager to play and demonstrate what you can give but I said I had to be patient. His quality is immense and we need him, but it is key that he is fit. If he is ready for City, great, but the most important thing is that he is recovered at the start of next season.
Benzema
I am happy for him, now everyone knows what we knew for a long time. He is a great striker and it is a pleasure to play with him. His understanding of the game, his moves to unbalance the rival … is special. Benzema has always done a great job for the team and I'm glad everyone recognizes his class.
Win without Cristiano Ronaldo
“There is no arguing how important Ronaldo was at Real, but we are not concerned that he is gone. We were convinced that we would continue to win without him because the team is always above individuals. ”
The role of young people: Valverde, Rodrygo and Vinicius
They are a wave of enthusiasm, freshness, physical strength and passion. They are very good and have revitalized the group. The club and the coach have performed very well with them, because the new group motivated us and made us veterans stronger because they upped the pace. The result is seen.
Zidane, the key
Zidane has confirmed his category. He is fantastic, a superior person. He has created a great atmosphere, gives calm and knows how to speak to the player. He is the same charismatic personality and a coach who understands the players. I have said it many times, but I will repeat it: it is clear that Zidane was a player and a very big player, and that he knows very well what to say and when to say, how to approach the players. It does not matter if we are talking about the development of the team, the tactical approach or the decisions that must be made … There were also crisis phases, but he knew how to react in time and change the rhythm of the situation. These are the characteristics of strong people. In this second phase, Zidane only seems even better to me in everything he has done well before. He brought something new in terms of training and tactics, we have more automation, we have taken a step forward in what used to be a problem for us, and that is defensive play. All of this was seen very well in these 11 games of the sequel. The coach's approach has helped everyone feel part of the team and accept their current status. In the locker room they are all good guys, there is no one to create trouble, there are no bad apples.
Her relationship with Zidane
I have had a great relationship with Zidane from the first day I met him, and that was when he was an assistant to Ancelotti. We built on it when he arrived for the head coach in 2016 and he helped me a lot in my important advancements in the game and confidence. Zidane told me in one of the first private conversations that I have to believe in myself, that I have special virtues and that I am worthy of the Ballon d'Or. It meant a lot to me because it was the first time and I thought it was really worth getting into the same phrase with those levels of players.
First, there is the relationship with the coach. Zidane and I talk often, both when everything was fine and when it wasn't. I especially appreciate that he can be spoken to openly, that he tells you his opinion honestly, but he hopes that you will also speak your own. Then I told him what was bothering me. It's not a problem if you don't see me in the foreground, but I wanted to know if that status is current or longer term. I trained well, and what I played, without false modesty, was good. He was not recognized in the media, but he knew it was so. I wanted to know if the coach sees it that way or not, if something has changed, because in the end the most important thing is what the boss thinks.
Zidane told me that he was very satisfied with my work, my approach and that it should continue like this. He had no doubts about my abilities, he just honestly told me that at that time he had a different vision of what was best for the team. I accepted that attitude and rolled up my sleeves. I was still full of motivation and desire to impose myself, since it was the first day that I came to Madrid.
His veteran
– Look, the key is what a man shows in the field, not how old he is, what he says or what he once did. I do not want to be privileged or protected in criticism for some past merit, but I think it is fair and I deserve to be judged based on what I show in the field, not only in the context of the prejudices of my age. After all, I am the greatest critic of myself. The moment I judge that I can no longer keep up, that I am not effective, I will be the first to admit it and withdraw. There is no theory that I live in doubt that I am a burden to someone, a drag.
Relationship with the club
I have had an excellent relationship with Real, that is, President Florentino Pérez and director Miguel Ángel, from the beginning. Over time, strong mutual trust has developed. Real is always the maximum for me, just as I always gave the maximum for the club. They know me well and they know that everything can be said to me, openly and without twisting. Well I never felt that I was questioned and that should clarify the impression that it was redundant.
Retire in Madrid
I would like to retire here, who doesn't?
But it remains to be seen if the club will want it. Real is my home, but Real decides what is best for the club. I know that midfielders rarely stay here until they are 35 years old. If Real deems I'm no longer the one, I'm ready for that unwanted option. Nothing would change my feeling for the club. However, I hope to break the stereotype that Real cannot wait for the end of his career in certain years after 34-35. I tried very hard to get to Real, I went through everything and I'm not going to give up on that status lightly . I will fight in the field to deserve a stay.
The only sure thing is that I will play for Real until June 2021. At my age, I don't think much about 'then'. We'll see. Let's go step by step. I know very well that I am not at the beginning of my career. But I feel like I have a few more years of real football on my legs. And I am 100% sure that I still want to play, that I have the same reasons to train, fight, sacrifices to win and trophies. The most important thing is that my health works for me!
Renewal
– I haven't spoken yet and there is no rush. When the time comes for that, I think we will meet and clarify our plans, to know what we are doing. I think that would be normal and I am sure it will happen. It will probably be in winter. However, this conversation takes place in the context of any outcome, we will agree quickly and easily. As Real decides, taking into account what the coach thinks, so be it. Without stress. Now the most important thing is just the focus on the Real and then on the Euro. Lots of work and lots of fun ..