Luka Modric has been named the oldest player in Real Madrid history.
Soccer content media "Score90" said on the 19th (Korea Standard Time), "Modric became the first 39-year-old player to appear in Real Madrid as he celebrated his 39th birthday."
Modric will go down in Real Madrid's history as a midfielder. He joined Real Madrid ahead of the 2012-13 season after playing for Dynamo Zagreb and Tottenham Hotspur. He won the UEFA Champions League six times and won many competitions.
Modric's position has faltered since the last season, however. His skills have remained strong, but junior players including Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Chouameni and Federico Valderde have come up fast. Modric's playing time has decreased.
Since the middle of the season, there have been rumors that Modric is dissatisfied with his playing time and transfer. Modric said, "I don't want to comment now because I have a lot of time left," but added, "We'll see what the future holds."
Rumors of a transfer have also been raised. Modric's agent said, "Last summer, we had a team that wanted to sign him. He had offers from several Saudi Arabian clubs. Currently, he is thinking about Real Madrid, but if there is an appropriate offer, he could move to Saudi Arabia."
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti wanted Modric to stay. He said, "Modric's future is in his hands. We have to wait for his decision. I can't give him any advice because I respect him. He knows well what he has to do."
Ancelotti said, "It's complicated. I was once a player, too. I experienced this in my last year. It is understandable if Modric is upset that he cannot play. Everyone thinks that his career is over, but I don't think so."
In the end, Modric decided to extend his contract with Real Madrid until June 2025. "Modric was not interested in money. I rejected two big offers," said Fabrizio Romano, who is well versed in the European soccer transfer market.
According to "Score90," Modric is currently listed as the oldest player in Real Madrid history. He has surpassed all legendary players including Ferenc Puskas, Francisco Buyo, Yeji Dudek, and Alfredo Di Stefano. 안전놀이터
Modric is still playing well this season. He played as a substitute at the last Atalanta and UEFA Super Cup, and won his first trophy as a captain. So far, he has one assist in seven matches. In the first round of the UEFA Champions League phase against Stuttgart, he ranked third in the history of the oldest assistance in the UCL.