Modric is the example that things are not how they begin, but how they end. Talking about his renewal in September was very different from doing it now: he had 34 years, the injuries hit him, he did not have regularity and his football did not convince. It was as if having won the Ballon d'Or he had relaxed. But now everything has changed. His post-quarantine level has been outstanding, becoming one of the main explanations for Madrid to achieve the historic '11 of 11 'league. He's back.
And at its best it seems difficult to say no to a renovation (contract ends in June 2021). Inter's interest in Christmas 2018 made Madrid have to raise its bid to keep it: it convinced him by offering him a galactic token and making him one of the highest paid players in the squad, along with Bale and Ramos. But now the context is different and he knows it. His football is exquisite, but he is on his way to 35 and it is logical that Madrid are already considering alternatives. Luka adapts to that situation without question. It wants to be a solution and not a problem, so would accept lower your salary to give air economically to the club and continue.
He wants to continue and he has earned it. He has only lost two games in the final stretch of the season: against Espanyol by accumulation of cards and against Leganés (matchday 38) by rest. In the others he has had minutes and many as a starter. To be more specific, It has started in all of them except in the Reale Arena. He is physically and technically well, but it has cost him. Everything started to go wrong on matchday 1, when he left expelled in Balaídos (direct red for some very rigorous). Between matchdays 2 and 10 he only played 100 ', starting once and missing four games due to annoyances and sanctions. He had the same cross in the Champions League: he did not play against PSG (matchday 1) and Galatasaray (matchday 3). Also, has not started in either of the two Classics this year, going out in both to play 10 '. Too many weeks in the infirmary.
His absence opened the door to Valverde, which ended up settling in a big way. So much so that Real Madrid came to weigh the end of Modric. But that made him wake up. As of matchday 11, he participated absolutely in all league matches until matchday 32, when he had to stop due to accumulation of yellows. Cause of force majeure. He progressively went from less to more until he remembered that captain who led a humble Croatia to dream of winning a World Cup: in the end it has sealed an average of 49 successful passes per game this season.
As a scorer, five points: three in the League, one in the Champions League and one in the Spanish Super Cup. Total, 2,631 ' among all competitions, being the ninth player in the squad with the most minutes, ahead of men like Marcelo (1,854 '), Vinicius (1,817') or Hazard (1,545 '). The hierarchy and authority that comes off in the medullary are their own brand. Zidane, at his best, considers him indisputable and has reflected this in the line-ups. Before him City, the key night, he started (he left substituted in 83 '). It was not his best game, but neither was it for Madrid in general.
Odegaard's shadow lurks
The Norwegian is opposing natural relief and squeezes hard. Madrid has already communicated to Real Sociedad that it will break the transfer agreement to recover it immediately, so that the assignment will be for one year and not two, as was agreed. Zidane wants it now, this season, so it will be contemporary with Luka. The Croatian ends his contract next season and Martin aims to be his replacement, but there is also the option of betting on a smooth transition. Let Modric continue in parallel with Odegaard for a couple more years and little by little youth is making its way. But it must be on its own merits, because Luka doesn't seem to be looking forward to taking a step to the side. “A crack always wants to play”, it is said in the union.
Odegaard, after a match with Real Sociedad.
AFP
Valued at 12 million
According Transfermarkt, the Croatian is valued only at 12 million euros. Your age, 34 years, key for the portal to consider that the investment in his signing, at this point, should not be high. But age is just a number. Luka seems to have football for a while and want to continue wearing the white shirt. It is in the hands of the club to prolong their relationship, at least, a couple of more seasons. He, by football, has earned to follow.