MY ACCOUNT
Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric does not think it will be crucial for Carlo Ancelotti to manage his minutes this season, despite the upcoming World Cup.
The 2022 edition of FIFA’s showpiece tournament takes place in Qatar across November and December, with Modric’s Croatia having qualified.
Croatia reached the final of the 2018 tournament in Russia, with Modric starring. He subsequently won the Ballon d’Or, and is the only player not named Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to scoop that award since 2007, when Kaka took it.
While Ivan Rakitic, the other mainstay of Croatia’s midfield over the past decade, and Mario Mandzukic – who led the line in 2018 – have retired from international football (and in the latter’s case, from playing altogether), Modric is set to lead his country once again.
Modric will be 37 by the time the World Cup rolls around, with Croatia drawn against Belgium, Canada and Morocco in Group F, but ahead of Wednesday’s Super Cup clash with Eintracht Frankfurt, explained that he has not felt the need to talk to Ancelotti about managing how much he plays this campaign.
He told a news conference in Helsinki: “Not at all, I don’t see it being different, as I’ve always said, age doesn’t matter. What matters is what you show on the pitch, you don’t need to look at your age.
“I speak to the coach every day, but not about that. The coach knows I like playing and I feel better when I play.
“I’m feeling good, available to the team to give my all to help the team in every way. The World Cup doesn’t change anything for me, I just have to be ready, train well and be at the coach’s disposal.”
Perhaps to prove a point, Modric, who will have additional competition from new arrival Aurelien Tchouameni this season, was leading the press in a training game between two 11s made up of Madrid’s superstar-littered squad at the Olympic Stadium after the media duties had been fulfilled.
Modric, as well as Karim Benzema, was also asked how Madrid could improve on last season, when they won a LaLiga and Champions League double.
“To be at this level you have to work hard and be committed on and off the pitch, that’s what we’re doing,” he added.
“We have a very good group of players here, we are ready for a good season, we are going to give everything as we do every year.”
The equally evergreen Benzema, citing his coach, said: “I think we all agree, if that’s what Carlo said!
“Age doesn’t come into it, it’s true that we’re no longer young but we’re all working hard, on and off the pitch, resting well between and are able to keep going and performing at a high standard. We have a good squad here, better than last year. We’re going to compete for everything.”
