Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti lavished praise on Luka Modric, describing the veteran midfielder as “a gift for football” following his spectacular goal in a 2-0 La Liga victory over Girona on Sunday. Modric, 39, opened the scoring at the Bernabéu with a superb strike, while Vinícius Júnior added a late second to keep Madrid level on points with Barcelona at the top of the table.
Despite no longer being a guaranteed starter – Modric has started just nine league games this season, with 15 substitute appearances – the Croatia international remains a crucial figure for Real Madrid, both on and off the pitch.
“Modric is a gift for football,” Ancelotti said in his post-match press conference. “He should keep going for as long as he wants to. Whatever he does, he does well. Football, and we at Real Madrid, have been lucky to have him as a legend. He has been a gift, with his quality and his professionalism.”
LUKA MODRIC WHAT A GOAL! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/99vtnvIVKW
— TC (@totalcristiano) February 23, 2025
Modric, whose contract expires this summer, is the oldest player ever to represent Real Madrid. He will turn 40 in September. Ancelotti drew a comparison between Modric and AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, who won the Champions League at 38 and retired two years later.
“I have an example of another player, Maldini, you can compare both of them,” Ancelotti said. “They’re fantastic role models. It isn’t a coincidence that they reached 40. Genes are a factor, but above all professionalism, seriousness, attitude.”
Modric himself reflected on his goal, telling Real Madrid TV: “I don’t know if it’s one of my most spectacular [goals], but it was nice. It’s always special to score at the Bernabéu … The recent games show we’re in a good moment. We have to keep going. I think we can still grow as a team.”
Real Madrid face a busy period, with a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Real Sociedad on Wednesday, followed by a La Liga trip to Real Betis and a Champions League round-of-16 first leg against Atlético Madrid. Ancelotti confirmed that defender David Alaba is in contention to start after playing 70 minutes against Girona, his first start in over a year.
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