Real Madrid News
Real Madrid legend announces the 2022 World Cup will be his last
At 37 years of age, Luka Modric is still ageing like fine wine. The veteran just cannot get older it seems and he continues to drop masterclasses game after game against even the toughest of oppositions.
Next month, the Croatian will captain his National Team in the FIFA World Cup as they try and better their sensational run to the final from last time around. Earlier today, the former Ballon d’Or winner made a big statement about his international future via an official FIFA World Cup documentary.
“I’m aware that I’m of a certain age, this World Cup is my last competition with the Croatia national team.”
While it was expected given Modric’s age, hearing the words directly from his mouth still sends chills down one’s spine. After all, the midfielder is not only a legend in his country but also in the world of football.
He retires from the Croatian National Team with an accomplishment that nobody would have dreamt of – leading his men to the final of the World Cup and within touching distance of the coveted silverware. Needless to say, his legacy will live on for generations to come.
While Modric has openly announced his international future, he has made no official statement about his future at Real Madrid.
As of now, the veteran is still a key part of Ancelotti’s plans and could sign a one-year contract extension at the end of the season based on his physical condition and prominence in the team.
This season, Madrid has played 10 La Liga games for Real Madrid, scoring two goals and providing two assists. Further, he also scored a goal in the team’s 3-0 win over Celtic in the UEFA Champions League.
Before he was hired by Bayern Munich as the direct replacement for Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel was closely linked with a move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
The German tactician had kept a close eye on the development at Santiago Bernabeu, especially with coach Carlo Ancelotti facing immense pressure following the club’s poor performances in domestic competitions.
A recent report from Jorge Picon has offered more details on the Tuchel saga, suggesting that the coach was even learning Spanish during his time at Ibiza, anticipating a potential move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
There were even contacts made between Tuchel’s entourage and Real Madrid. Although the talks were positive, the two sides were not able to reach an agreement.
Real Madrid did not guarantee him the job. They had informed Tuchel that Ancelotti may continue at the Bernabeu in the event the club win the UEFA Champions League this season.
This bit of uncertainty played a critical role in convincing Tuchel to join Bayern Munich instead. The former Chelsea boss was hired as a direct replacement for Nagelsmann, who was sacked after a poor season in the Bundesliga by the club’s high standards.
However, Tuchel’s move to Bayern appears to be a missed opportunity on the German’s part, as Real Madrid have recently intensified their search for a new manager.
It is clear that the club’s hierarchy is yet to reach a consensus over the future of Ancelotti, with some believing that a change is necessary come the end of the season. In fact, the club’s president Florentino Perez has been an admirer of Tuchel’s compatriot Nagelsmann.
The coaching prodigy is one of the candidates to replace Ancelotti in the summer, though it is Mauricio Pochettion who is reportedly leading the race so far.
