Real Madrid News
Real Madrid legend Luka Modric opens up on potential return to the club: ‘Would love to be useful’
Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were Real Madrid’s two midfield pillars for a long time, and the club has failed to replace the duo, even in part, to date.
The void in midfield, at this point, appears gaping, and it is staggering what a massive role the duo used to play for Real Madrid.
Of them, Modric’s heroics are even further underrated given the age until which he continued to inspire Real Madrid’s dressing room.
It is clear that replacing him is close to impossible, but the administration has a role in mind for the legend if he is open to returning to the club in an administrative capacity.
Modric speaks on a Real Madrid return
Speaking to El Larguero in a recent interview, Real Madrid legend Luka Modric was asked if he indeed contemplated a return home in some capacity in the future.
“Real Madrid is my home. I spent 13 years there. I’d love to be useful and help however I can, but I have to prepare myself and see what role I could have and whether the club wants it,” he began.
“Returning would be a dream,” Modric added.
The player also gave his honest verdict on Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation with Portugal, which has left a sour taste at the very end of the legend’s career.
“It’s a shame this is happening. Cristiano deserves a solution, whether that means continuing or a proper farewell. He deserves a big farewell.”
“He’s Portugal’s greatest player.”
Modric speaks on retirement
The Croatian superstar was then asked about Lionel Messi’s decision to retire from international football, marking the end of the career of another great of his generation.
“It’s a shame, but it’s his decision and it has to be respected.”
“He won the World Cup he wanted and did something incredible. It’s been a pleasure watching him.”
The veteran was then asked about his personal stance on retirement and whether it was a thought that crossed his mind.
“We’ll see. I still have the passion, ambition and strength.”
“While I have that, I want to keep playing. I’ll listen to my body and make the decision with total calmness,” he concluded.
Real Madrid continue to scour the international market for young talents with the potential to reach the elite, and one of the latest names to appear on their radar is Niko Ilicevic, one of the brightest prospects in the Eintracht Frankfurt academy.
Indeed, according to Sky Germany (h/t SPORT), the 15-year-old attacking midfielder is being monitored by several of Europe’s leading clubs, including Real Madrid.
Along with Los Blancos, their arch-rivals Barcelona are also following his development alongside Manchester City, AC Milan and Inter Milan.
A rapid rise through the Eintracht academy
Ilicevic has already attracted significant attention in German football. Despite his age, he has established himself as one of the country’s most promising young players and is already an Germany U17 international.
Ilicevic is a left-footed attacking midfielder who can operate in several positions in the attacking third of the pitch. His rapid development has been evident throughout his time in Frankfurt.
He joined the German club’s academy in 2018 from VfR Goldbach and made his debut for the U17 side at just 13 years old. A year later, at 14, he stepped up to compete with the U19 team.
His progress has now brought him onto the radar of some of the biggest clubs in European football, with Real Madrid among those keeping a particularly close eye on his development.
Eintracht move to protect their young talent
Eintracht Frankfurt are fully aware of the interest surrounding their young player and have been working for months to protect his future.
The Bundesliga club regard the Germany youth international as one of the most promising talents to emerge from their academy in recent years.
As such, this past summer, the German club announced that Ilicevic had signed a long-term agreement, although they did not reveal the exact expiry date at the time.
According to the report, when Ilicevic turns 16 at the end of October, his current agreement will become a professional contract.
Eintracht hope this will secure his future while also providing him with a quicker pathway towards the first team.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, continue to monitor Ilicevic closely. The competition for his signature is likely to be intense, with virtually every major in Europe keeping track of his progress.
