Mueez Ajao
– Luka Modric has extended his stay with Real Madrid, and will continue to play an important role in Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield.
– Now the Croatian has spoken out about Kylian Mbappe’s decision to reject the advances of Los Blancos, stating that the French forward has made a decision and now has to live with it.
– Modric was instrumental in Los Merengues’ run to another Champions League triumph last season, and believes the team is strong whether or not Mbappe is around.
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– “Mbappe made his decision, that’s his right and now he’s living with that decision,” Modric told Sportske.
– “We all thought he would come to us, but it didn’t happen…. Now what? We’re not going to crucify him.
– “Mbappe is a great player, but as I always repeat, no footballer is more important than the club, Real Madrid are the biggest, above all players, and it will always be like that.”
– Such was Modric’s influence in the comeback against Paris Saint-Germain last season, the Croatian was given a renewed role in midfield, and one which he hopes to keep even with the arrival of Aurelien Tchouameni.
– “It was rare to see [Lionel] Messi, after so many Clasicos, in another shirt,” Modric said.
– “With Neymar and Mbappe, they have a collection of talent but we are Real Madrid and when we found our rhythm, with the fantastic support from the fans, we simply crushed them.
– “It was a spectacular night, one of the most impressive for me, since that victory the perception of the fans changed with regards to our potential in the Champions League, the scepticism disappeared.”
– Longevity has been one of Modric’s greatest traits since arriving at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, but that has now seen him see a number of veteran teammates leave the club.
– Whilst this is something all players go through, Modric has revealed that he found his first season in the Spanish capital without Sergio Ramos particularly difficult.
– “All the departures of players with whom you share a very successful era are painful, for everyone,” Modric detailed.
– “After nine years Sergi was gone, from the first day he was close to me, he helped me adapt to Real Madrid, he encouraged me and believed in my potential.
– “We became great friends, our families got together and we spent summers together, we still talk to each other every day, at least through messages, I miss hanging out with him but that’s the way it is in football.”
