They Reveal the Reason Why Luka Modric Would Be a Starter at Barça at 39 Years Old

The victory of Real Madrid against Girona at Santiago Bernabéu served to make it clear that a player still has a lot left in him. The stunning goal scored by Luka Modric in the first half served to reward the attacking efforts of Carlo Ancelotti's pupils. This turning point in the match has reopened the debate about the position of the Madridist '10'.

Especially after the retirement of one of his tireless companions in the club's engine room. The farewell of Toni Kroos from professional soccer in the summer of 2024 has sparked all kinds of speculations about Luka Modric's future: his goal is the 2026 World Cup.

For Zlatko Dalic to be able to count on his football services in this international event to be held in the United States, Luka Modric will want to wear the white jersey until the 25/26 season. It would be after the World Cup in North America when an announcement that has been postponed for several seasons would come. This has not diminished his quality, as could be seen in the stunning goal he scored in the match against Girona.

Luka Modric, at the most critical moment of the season, reopens the debate about his possible starting position. But those discussions, at least internally, seem to be completely solved: Carlo Ancelotti already has his gala starting eleven. With Tchouaméni, Fede Valverde, and Jude Bellingham, there is no room for the genius from Zadar, clearly positioned as the reference and leader of the Italian coach's 'B unit'.

Controversial Opinion

On Cadena SER, however, they offered a particular opinion regarding Luka Modric's present in the European soccer elite. "I always have the doubt that if Modric played for Barça, I think his starting position wouldn't be in question", states Antonio Romero. The reason behind this opinion lies in the profiles of the midfielders of both teams.

"If Modric played in a team that has the ball, that has hardworking midfielders, that dominates the matches, that the match isn't back and forth... I think Modric is still fantastic, at 39 years old, to be a starter in a team of that type". However, Real Madrid presents many difficulties because "it's a Russian roulette" according to Antonio Romero.

The journalist, paraphrasing Alfredo Relaño, understands that the white club is "the cowboy and Indian movie up and down, usually a broken match, you have to have a breathtaking physical rhythm". Real Madrid "doesn't mind resting without the ball and there Modric evidently loses performance". That's why, according to Antonio Romero, the Croatian attacking midfielder has lost a position he held for many consecutive years.

"I am convinced that Modric, in a team that manages the ball, the matches, and the tempo, would always be a starter". That situation doesn't occur in a Real Madrid that "is struggling, Carlo Ancelotti is usually putting him in every other match" to prevent him from losing his excellent competitive rhythm.