[마이데일리 = 최병진 기자] Luka Modric (38) hopes to stay at Real Madrid.
Modric moved to Real Madrid in the 2008-09 season after playing for Dinamo Zagreb and Tottenham. Real signed Modric, who has been very active in the English Premier League (EPL), for 33 million pounds (about 56 billion won).
Modric rose to world class status at Real Madrid. He led Real to its heyday based on his unique pressure relief, accurate and creative passing ability, and activity level. In particular, he conquered European soccer by establishing the so-called ‘Kcamo Line’ with Casemiro (Manchester United) and Toni Kroos (Real).
Modric spent 11 seasons at Real until last season, achieving great feats such as three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey title, and five UEFA Champions League (UCL) titles. In 2018, he finished second to Croatia in the Russian World Cup and the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League, becoming the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner.
This season, his presence is still there, but his playing time has decreased due to his age in his late 30s. Modric started 14 times and came on as a substitute 13 times out of 27 league games. Due to his physical condition, he went back and forth between starting and rotation, leading young players. Real took the lead in the Spanish Primera Liga and came close to winning the title, and also reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League.
Modric’s contract with Real expires at the end of this season. While there has been no news regarding his contract renewal yet, the possibility of his return to his former team, Tottenham, has also been reported. British newspaper Football London said, “Modric is thinking about his future this summer and is open to returning to the Premier League.” This is because Modric revealed in a recent interview that he is still watching Tottenham.
However, Modric’s priority is still staying at Real. Spain’s ‘Football Espana’ said on the 23rd (Korean time), “Modric wants to stay at Real for a longer period of time. He is still contemplating his future, but winning La Liga and Champions League trophies will likely influence his decision to stay at Real. “Modric still enjoys the competition,” he said, predicting his stay.
[사진 = 루카 모드리치/게티이미지코리아]
Reporter Choi Byeong-jin [email protected]
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