Luka Modric getting even better with age

Even as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo face, Luka Modric stands as the only player to have disrupted their dominance of the Ballon d’Or over the last 15 years. Indeed, the Croatian midfielder won football’s most prestigious individual prize in 2018 after a series of eye-catching performances for club and country that year.

Four years later, Modric is setting an even higher standard for himself. Now 36 years old, the Croatian is performing better than ever for Real Madrid, as demonstrated by his sparkling display in the Champions League comeback victory over Paris Saint-Germain. Karim Benzema might have scored all three goals in a 3-1 win, but Modric was the driving force behind the Frenchman.

This has been a common thread through Real Madrid’s entire season so far. Benzema has scored 32 goals in 34 games for Los Blancos with the French forward forging a partnership with Vinicius Junior who has also chipped in with 17 goals of his own. Neither attacker would have produced such impressive numbers without Modric behind them, though.

It’s not unheard of for a player of Modric’s vintage to still be performing at the elite level. Just days after the Croatian helped knock PSG out of the Champions League, 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick for Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur. Thiago Silva, another 37-year-old, was a key figure for Chelsea as they won the Champions League last season.

Ronaldo, however, has adapted his natural game to achieve longevity in the sport. Silva is highly influential for Chelsea, but Thomas Tuchel’s back three system affords him a degree of protection. Modric, on the other hand, is still the one bringing energy and dynamism to Real Madrid’s midfield. If anything, he is covering more ground and offering more drive through the centre of the pitch.

If Real Madrid are to regain the Spanish title this season, as looks likely, it will be in large part due to the performances of Modric. Carlo Ancelotti was urged to rebuild his ageing midfield upon taking over at the Santiago Bernabeu last summer, but the Italian recognised what Modric could still offer his team. Modric was given even more responsibility.

Of course, Real Madrid’s midfield structure gives Modric the platform to perform. Casemiro is still one of the best anchors in European football while Toni Kroos has the technical ability to control matches. Summer signing Eduardo Camavinga has also given Real Madrid another dimension with Fede Valverde an energetic option.

As one half of a double pivot, Modric might not have the support to perform at his highest level. Ancelotti, however, sets up his team to get the best out of the Croatian because it is to the benefit of Real Madrid. When harnessed in the right way, Modric has the capacity to dominate most midfield battles, as PSG discovered.

Sunday’s Clasico will present Modric with another test. Barcelona look to have turned a corner under Xavi Hernandez with their midfield unit stronger than was ever the case under Ronald Koeman. The likes of Gavi, Nico Gonzalez and Pedri have rejuvenated Barcelona. A win in the Spanish capital would be proof of their progress.

However, another Real Madrid against elite level opponents would underline the quality of a team many had written off before the start of the 2021/22 season. Modric embodies how Real Madrid are getting more out of their current group with the Croatian more influential than ever before. He might not end up with a Ballin d’Or in 2022, but we are currently seeing Modric at his absolute best.

The post Luka Modric getting even better with age appeared first on Colossus Blog.

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