Carlo Ancelotti praised Luka Modric, calling him a “gift for football” after the veteran midfielder has marked a sensational objective in the 2-0 victory of Real Madrid against Gérona on Sunday.
The 39 -year -old man broke the dead end in the 41st minute at the Santiago Bernabeu before Vinicius Junior states the victory with a late goal. The result assured that Madrid followed the pace of Barcelona at the top of the Laliga ranking.
Despite his age, Modric remains a precious presence in the team, even if he is no longer a guaranteed starter.
This season, he presented only nine championship games since the start, with 15 additional appearances that came out of the bench.
“Modric is a gift for football,” said Ancelotti at his post-match press conference. “It should continue as long as it wishes. Whatever he does, he does well. Football, and we, in Real Madrid, had the chance to have it as legend. It was a gift, with its quality and its professionalism. »»
Scheduled for 40 years in September, Modric is the oldest player to represent Real Madrid. With his contract expired this summer, questions remain on his future, but his influence on the team remains undeniable.
🚨🇪🇸 Objective | Real Madrid 1-0 Girona | Modric
What a fantastic purpose of Modric !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/a9dy3ljsfb
– Foot Tekkers (@tekkersfoot) February 23, 2025
Ancelotti made parallels between Modric and another legendary footballer he previously trained, the icon of AC Milan, Paolo Maldini, who raised the trophy of the Champions League at 38 years before retiring two years later.
“I have an example of another player, Maldini, you can compare them both,” added Ancelotti. “These are fantastic models. It is not a coincidence that they have reached 40 years. The genes are a factor, but especially professionalism, seriousness, attitude. »»
Thinking about his goal, Modric said: “I don’t know if it’s one of my most spectacular [goals]But it was good.
“It is always special to score at the Bernabeu. The recent game show, we are in a good time. We must continue. I think we can still grow up as a team. »»
For the future, Real Madrid faces a series of demanding matches, starting with a confrontation of COPA Del Rey in the first year semi-year against Real Sociedad on Wednesday. This will be followed by a Laliga meeting with Real Betis before crucial equality in the Champions-16 League against the rivals of the city of Atletico Madrid.
