Real Madrid News
Real Madrid veteran set to leave after 13 years; Saturday to be his last game
There has been much speculation surrounding the future of Luka Modric lately, with the veteran midfielder’s contract expiring at the end of June.
At the age of 38, Modric’s role in the team has diminished sharply. But yet, it was reported earlier that new coach Xabi Alonso had asked the board to renew his contract, as he values Modric’s experience and leadership.
Modric not offered a contract
However, a recent report from COPE suggests Luka Modric will not continue at Real Madrid next season, despite the insistence of Alonso.
It appears the veteran midfielder, despite his desire to continue at Santiago Bernabeu, has not been handed a renewal by Real Madrid.
This is not the decision of Alonso but rather the club, who are looking to part ways with the Croatian international.
This serves as a major blow for Modric, who was hoping to continue at Bernabeu at least for another year as part of his larger plan to represent Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While the former Tottenham star may still participate in the World Cup, he will have to continue his club career elsewhere.
The report adds that Saturday’s game against Real Sociedad could be Modric’s final game for Real Madrid, thus marking an end to his 13-year spell at the club.
During this period, Modric has featured in almost 600 competitive matches, securing six Champions League titles among countless other accolades.
With Modric expected to leave, it will be interesting to see how Real Madrid plan to reinforce their ranks in the midfield department this summer.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
