Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder feels strong enough to continue at club for one more season
According to reports from AS, Luka Modric feels that he has enough in the tank to renew and play one more season for Real Madrid. The Croatian wants to prove that he can operate at the highest level despite being 37 years of age.
The midfielder has been the heart of Real Madrid’s midfield for close to a decade now, and the current season has been no different. Despite guiding his team through a rebuild, manager Carlo Ancelotti sees the experienced Modric a part of the backbone of his side and maintains him as a starter for all big games.
The 37-year-old has played a part in 22 of the team’s 24 La Liga matches so far, finding the back of the net four times and providing three assists. He is one of the Merengues’ creators-in-chief providing 1.4 key passes per game and fashioning eight big chances so far.
In recent years, Los Blancos have resisted handing veteran players long renewals. It has been the norm to sign extensions of only one or two seasons for players past the 30-year mark given the inevitable age-related decline. Yet, Modric has been one to put that theory to bed.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup finalist has aged like fine wine and continues to baffle on the field with his exquisite passes and movements. He is already a club legend in his own right and is a player who will go down as one of the greats of the game.
His contract at Santiago Bernabeu runs out in June. Modric now seems close to a one-year extension, but it is clear that his role next season may be far less prominent.
If Real Madrid sign Jude Bellingham in the summer, the club will look to use next season as a means to gradually phase out the Croatian International. However, if Modric’s track record is anything to go by, the midfielder will make it difficult for the manager to even consider playing him in a secondary role.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid captain Benzema still not 100% fit, suffering from ankle discomfort – report
Karim Benzema put in another decrepit display as Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat to FC Barcelona on Sunday night, which all but ended their hopes of defending the La Liga title.
The 35-year-old had sat out of Los Blancos‘ previous La Liga encounter against RCD Espanyol due to ankle discomfort, but returned for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie versus Liverpool.
While Benzema scored in that game, he hobbled off the pitch with his ankle issue resurfacing. It led to him missing training last Friday, but returned to the squad for El Clasico after participating in training on Saturday.
However, he looked rusty and uninspiring during the defeat on Sunday at Spotify Camp Nou. Now, ABC (h/t Madrid Xtra), is reporting that Benzema is still not near 100% fitness and is struggling with his ankle issue.
It is further claimed that the Real Madrid captain continues to feel discomfort game after game.
Despite this being the situation, Carlo Ancelotti continues to play his ace striker in almost every match.
But the blame must be shared by the club as well, as they did not sign a new centre-forward in the summer or in January when they were aware of the striker’s fitness issues this season.
The Merengues let go of Luka Jovic and Borja Mayoral in the summer and did not sign a replacement, leaving Benzema and the out-of-favour Mariano Diaz as the only options at the manager’s disposal.
Rodrygo did well on occasions when deployed as a No.9, but it evidently clear that Real Madrid cannot go through an entire season relying on a 35-year-old centre-forward.
Alvaro Rodriguez may have emerged as an option of late, but Real Madrid will be repeating the same mistake again if they do not go for a new striker before the next season starts.
