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.
The Santiago Bernabeu is ready for the first time in a fortnight as Real Madrid are set to host relegation-threatened Real Valladolid for gameweek 27 of La Liga. The gap between them and Barcelona was increased to 15 yesternight, and los blancos will be looking to cut it down to 12 to scarce the tiniest bit of hope of defending their league crown.
Carlo Ancelotti has opted to use a highly attacking starting lineup for the clash, with Karim Benzema spearheading the front-three. He is flanked by Marco Asensio on the right while Vinicius Jr retains his place on the left.
Rodrygo also gets the nod to start, probably as an attacking midfielder in what looks like a 4-2-3-1.
Aurelien Tchouameni has been given the nod in midfield, with Toni Kroos forming the double pivot alongside him.
With Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and Nacho out injured, Eduardo Camavinga gets the license to start as the left-back, while Lucas Vazquez flanks the defence from the right. The usual suspects — Eder Militao and David Alaba — start in central defence.
Thibaut Courtois was a doubt heading into this game, but has been given the medical greenlight to take his place as the goalkeeper.
📋✅ Our squad for #RealMadridRealValladolid! pic.twitter.com/T9G5QY3P4D
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 2, 2023
Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga; Tchouameni, Kroos; Asensio, Rodrygo, Vinicius; Benzema
