Luka Modric is entering his 13th season at Real Madrid. A season in which the 38-year-old will wear the armband. But how often?
An Italian journalist recently thanked Luka Modric emotionally for his life’s work at the European Championship – and in the same breath asked whether the midfielder could play on forever. Even if a great Croatian generation might have had its day, as suggested by the team’s exit after the group stage and the associated performances
Because at Real Madrid, Modric has extended his contract by another year, while Toni Kroos has now also said goodbye after Casemiro in 2022, even though he will be 39 in September. However, it is questionable how much playing time the man in the royal midfield will get, who celebrated the most titles ever in a Real shirt with 26 – together with Nacho.
Speaking of Nacho: because the captain is leaving Real Madrid for Saudi Arabia, a successor is being sought. It’s no surprise who that successor will be – it’s Modric. Because he has been part of the first-team squad for the longest time without interruption, which is a tradition at the Spanish record champions. Modric arrived from Tottenham in the summer of 2012 and is now entering his 13th season in Madrid
Captain changes every year
It seems to have become another tradition at Real that the captaincy changes hands before each season – after Iker Casillas and then Sergio Ramos had each been in charge for a few years. Marcelo took over from Ramos in 2021, Karim Benzema took over from Marcelo in 2022, Nacho took over from Benzema in 2023 – and now Modric is taking over from Nacho.
What should unite Modric and his direct predecessor is that their deputies will lead the team onto the pitch more often. In Modric’s case, that would be Dani Carvajal. After all, Modric’s prospects of becoming a regular are unlikely to grow given the generational change in midfield and the newly acquired attackers Kylian Mbappé and Endrick, who are likely to provide a change of formation.
