The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Modric

  • Modric will be remembered for good times at Real, says Alonso

    Modric will be remembered for good times at Real, says Alonso

    Luka Modric’s illustrious Real Madrid career ended with a painful 4-0 thrashing by Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals.

    But the Croatian maestro’s legacy stretches far beyond a single game, manager Xabi Alonso said.

    Modric, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner and the Spanish club’s most decorated player, is set to join AC Milan.

    This was after he played his final game for Real Madrid at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Wednesday.

    Since his arrival from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, the 39-year-old played 597 games and won 28 trophies with Real Madrid, including six Champions League titles.

    Alonso, who shared the pitch with Modric as teammates during his playing days at Real, told reporters on Wednesday that Modric was already a legend.

    “This is not the desired end, it’s a bitter end, but he won’t be remembered for today’s game but for other great ones,” Alonso said.

    “He’s a legend of world football and of Real Madrid. He’ll be remembered for many more good things than for the 25 minutes he played today.”

    Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Modric will leave a void.

    “Modric always gets a standing ovation, not only from the Madridistas.

    “He’s a great player, a great teammate and we’ll miss him,” the Belgian said.

    (Reuters/NAN)

  • Allegri confirms Modric’s  move to Milan

    Allegri confirms Modric’s  move to Milan

    Real Madrid’s Croatia captain Luka Modric will join AC Milan after the Club World Cup, the Serie A club’s newly-appointed manager Massimiliano Allegri  has confirmed .

    The move means the 39-year-old midfielder, who announced in May that he would be leaving Madrid after the Club World Cup, will bring his 13-year spell at the Spanish giants to a close.

    “Modric will arrive in August. He is an extraordinary player,” Allegri told reporters in his first press conference as Milan manager.

    Real face Paris St Germain in the Club World cup semi-finals on Wednesday, with the final scheduled for Sunday.

    Modric, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, will join a Milan side looking to bounce back from a disappointing campaign that saw them finish eighth and miss out on European competition.

    Read Also: Modric to leave Real Madrid after Club World Cup

    “To the fans, I say the most important thing is to work well every day,” Allegri said. “The only way to regain respect is through responsibility and by achieving results. We will absolutely need their support.”

    The Italian, who has joined Milan for a second time after replacing the sacked Sergio Conceicao at the end of May, also outlined some key changes to the squad ahead of the new season.

    Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders was sold to Manchester City in June while France left back Theo Hernandez could be on his way to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

    “While Reijnders and Hernandez won’t be part of the team next season, (goalkeeper) Mike Maignan and (forward) Rafael Leao seem willing to stay,” Allegri said.

    Milan will kick off their Serie A campaign on August 23 with a home fixture against Cremonese.

    Allegri, who previously guided Milan to a Serie A title in the 2010-11 season, last managed Juventus.

  • Modric to leave Real Madrid after Club World Cup

    Modric to leave Real Madrid after Club World Cup

    Real Madrid captain Luka Modric has revealed he will leave the Spanish giants after the end of their Club World Cup campaign this summer.

    The 39-year-old Croatian midfielder, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, will play his final match at Real’s Bernabeu home when they welcome Real Sociedad on Saturday in their final La Liga game of the season.

    “The moment has arrived. The moment I never wanted to come, but that’s football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end,” Modric said on Instagram.

    The Croat has won 28 trophies, including six Champions Leagues and four domestic titles, since joining Real from Spurs in 2012.

    “I arrived in 2012 with the hope of wearing the jersey of the best team in the world and the ambition to do great things, but I couldn’t have imagined what came next,” he said.

    “Playing for Real Madrid changed my life as a footballer and as a person.

    Read Also: Modric signs one-year extension with Real Madrid

    “I’m proud to have been part of one of the most successful eras of the best club in history.”

    Real will open their Club World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal on 18 June and will also face Mexico’s Pachuca and RB Salzburg of Austria in the group stage.

    Modric bagged two goals and six assists in 34 appearances in the Spanish top flight this season, as Real were pipped to the title by Barcelona.

    He also featured in every game as Carlo Ancelotti’s side reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they were beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Arsenal.

    He signed a one-year contract extension last year, which expires at the end of the season.

    BBC

  • Modric signs one-year extension with Real Madrid

    Modric signs one-year extension with Real Madrid

    Real Madrid captain Luka Modric has signed a one-year contract extension with the Spanish champions.

    Modric, 38, has won 26 trophies, including six Champions Leagues and four domestic titles since joining Real Madrid from Tottenham in 2012.

    The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner has featured in 534 matches for Los Blancos, scoring 39 goals

    The Croat played 46 times across all competitions in 2023-24 but started on just 23 occasions.

    Read Also: Paris 2024: Super Falcons lose to Canada in friendly match

    Modric started in all three of Croatia’s matches at Euro 2024, with the side going out of the competition after finishing third in their group.

    The midfielder was out of contract at the end of the June but his continuing presence will ensure manager Carlo Ancelotti has experience to count on as he prepares for his 13th  season at the Bernabeu.

    Real have already completed the high profile signing of Kylian Mbappe from Paris St-Germain, with the France striker officially unveiled on 16 July.

    Teenager Endrick has also been drafted in from Brazilian side Palmeiras to bolster the 15-time European champions.

  • Modric signs one-year extension with Real Madrid

    Modric signs one-year extension with Real Madrid

    Real Madrid captain Luka Modric has signed a one-year contract extension with the Spanish champions.

    Modric, 38, has won 26 trophies, including six Champions Leagues and four domestic titles since joining Real Madrid from Tottenham in 2012.

    The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner has featured in 534 matches for Los Blancos, scoring 39 goals

    The Croat played 46 times across all competitions in 2023-24 but started on just 23 occasions.

    Modric started in all three of Croatia’s matches at Euro 2024, with the side going out of the competition after finishing third in their group.

    Read Also: Modric signs new one-year deal at Real Madrid

    The midfielder was out of contract at the end of the June but his continuing presence will ensure manager Carlo Ancelotti has experience to count on as he prepares for his 13th season at the Bernabeu.

    Real have already completed the high profile signing of Kylian Mbappe from Paris St-Germain, with the France striker officially unveiled on 16 July.

    Teenager Endrick has also been drafted in from Brazilian side Palmeiras to bolster the 15-time European champions.

    BBC