REAL MADRID
Modric closing in on Puskás’ Real Madrid record
The Croatian has surpassed Paco Buyo and now only has the Hungarian ahead of him as the oldest player to star for Real Madrid in the League. He can take the record in May.
Luka Modric enhanced his own legend even further at the weekend. The Croatian started the Week 14 LaLiga meeting with Cádiz, and was given an ovation as he left the field, replaced by Dani Ceballos on 70 minutes. With it, he not only became the 14th player to have made the most appearances in official competition for Real Madrid (505) - at 38 years and 78 days, he also is now the second oldest player to play a league match for the club.
Puskás in sight
He surpassed Paco Buyo, who was 38 years and 63 days old when he played his last game for the club, the 2-0 win against Albacete in March 1996. Now, the only player ahead of him is Ferenc Puskás, who set the record with his last appearance, against Sevilla in November 1965 aged 38 years and 233 days. So Modric is already the oldest player in the last 58 years... and the overall record is on the horizon.
Fate and fitness will play a big part in whether Modric overtakes Puskás. He logged second place at the Nuevo Mirandilla and curiously, the first opportunity he will have to become the oldest player outright will also be against Cádiz. If Ancelotti gives him a run-out on the weekend of 5 May at the Santiago Bernabéu, Modric will be Real Madrid’s new league grandfather, taking the honor from Cañoncito Pum .
Injury scare
After passing another landmark, there was a moment of concern for Modric. Fortunately, his experience means that he knows when to stop. Luka looked to the bench in the 68th minute and asked to be subbed. His companions hugged him, worried that he might have suffered some kind of physical problem, but luckily that appears not to be the case. A little discomfort in his left thigh - nothing serious, the club has since reported.
Knowing when to stop is also a skill and as soon as Modric felt a niggle, he pressed the pause button. On Monday he will unxdergo a more exhaustive examination and if necessary, an ultrasound scan will be performed, but the club is hopeful that it’s nothing to worry about. Post-match, Ancelotti explained: “He has an overload in his hamstring, that’s all I think”.
Afterwards, the coach spoke about the Croatian’s performance: “He played very well, in a position that is not his, more defensive”. Luka deserved the praise. Cádiz fans understood and treated him to a standing ovation. A deserved farewell. For his golden career and because, as Carletto analyzed, he played a great game. With Camavinga and Tchouameni in the infirmary, Modric shone in administration tasks. His match started off as a kind of double playmaker alongside Bellingham, but as the match progressed, Valverde unshackled him, leaving Luka to man the engine room on his own.
The most defensive Luka
Modric has never shirked away from his duties and he did not do so in Cádiz. He was key in the 0-3 victory, as his numbers show. He equalled Bellingham in successful tackles (three) and only Lunin (12) surpassed his nine ball recoveries. On top of that, he also directed play - along with Rodrygo, he was the player who created the most chances in the match (three); the Brazilian rifled in Madrid’s second goal and set up Modric who could have made it three on the hour only for his shot to ricochet back off the post.
A commendable performance that took its toll on his muscles. And, despite not getting the kind of continuity he would like in the team, he had played 12 consecutive games between club and country. And with Croatia, at least rotation is negotiable. In fact, he has returned with 175 more minutes accumulated from the recent games against Latvia and Armenia.
Worry during the international break
Back in Madrid, fingers were crossed that Modric would not become the latest to succumb to the FIFA virus. However, in addition to demonstrating that his football is still valid and seemingly without an expiry date, it appears that Luka has just been overdoing it a little, nothing more. Of course, he needs to be extra careful - with the casualty room filling up (Courtois, Kepa, Militão, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Güler and Vinicius...), Madrid cannot afford to lose more first team players...