Real Madrid News
Real Madrid veteran has already confirmed this will be his last World Cup
Croatia’s hopes of securing a place in the final for yet another World Cup came to an end when they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Argentina.
Croatia’s veteran midfielder Luka Modric was vocal about the refereeing in the game but backed Argentina to do well in the tournament. In the post-match presser, he diverted a question on his retirement from international football as well.
While he may have dodged the question about his international future, Modric had already confirmed ahead of the tournament in Qatar that it will be his last World Cup.
“This will be my last World Cup and with all my heart, I want to play it in the best possible way”, Modric had told Sportske Novosti (h/t Madrid Xtra).
Modric has been one of the finest servants for his country over the past decade and a half. He has featured in 161 matches for the Croats, scoring 23 goals and notably helping his nation reach the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
During his career, the 37-year-old has featured in 18 World Cup matches and will feature in his 19th when Croatia take on Morocco in the third-place encounter.
Although Modric has confirmed he will not be featuring in World Cups anymore, it remains to be seen whether the midfielder opts to quit international football altogether.
Even at the age of 37, the former Tottenham Hotspur star still has what it takes to continue at the highest level of football. And with the Euro 2024 just around the corner, it will not come as a surprise to see him continue for a couple more years.
Ahead of the Madrilenian derby, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has claimed that donning the royal white shirt of the club means that they have to win every win game, irrespective of who the opponent is.
Los Blancos have made a strong start to the 2023/24 season, winning each of their six games across all competitions, and are currently seated atop the La Liga standings.
But they await their biggest test of the campaign so far tomorrow at Civitas Metropolitano as Atletico Madrid get set to lock horns with Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Real Madrid must win every game, says Tchouameni
In the lead-up to the game, Tchouameni interacted with the media and stressed the importance of winning every match, irrespective of who the opposition is.
“We have to win every game. It doesn’t matter if it’s against Atlético de Madrid or Getafe, it doesn’t matter,” Tchouameni said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
At the same time, though, the French international highlighted the importance of the derby against Atletico Madrid and what it means for the fans.
“When you take the field in the Real Madrid shirt, we always have to win. It’s a derby, it’s an important game for us and for the fans. We have to continue as we have been doing, winning games like we have done all season,” he added.
Solid start for Tchouameni
Aurelien Tchouameni arrived at Real Madrid last year and soon became an integral part of the team under Carlo Ancelotti.
The midfielder’s form took a nosedive in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, but he has started the new season on a much stronger note.
Despite a so-so display against Real Sociedad last week, Tchouameni has been a solid presence in Ancelotti’s diamond midfield setup and will be aiming to carry on in the same vein of form against Atletico Madrid.
