The deed has been done!
Real Madrid locked up the La Liga crown Thursday night with a 2-1 victory over Villareal. Luka Modrić got the start and assisted on Real Madrid’s opening goal; sliding a pass to Karim Benzema for an open shot. It is Modrić’s second La Liga title with Real Madrid which goes nicely with his four Champions League trophies with the club. The man truly is like a fine wine- getting better with age. It’s a shame Euro 2020 had to be pushed back a year as Modrić, Rebić, Kramarić, Vlašić, Perišić have all been on fire this summer. Imagine if they were in checkers for the past month.
Modrić was given a ‘9’ grade as he put on “an exhibition. Started well and controlled everything throughout. As good in defense as he was in attack. Came back after the break in fine form, his best since winning the Ballon d’Or. Delivered the pass for Benzema for the opener and was excellent all night
Modrić assist to Benzema
On Thursday, Luka Modrić and Real Madrid will be 90 minutes away from the La Liga crown when they face Villareal at noon. With a victory OR a Barcelona loss/draw, Real Madrid will see their first Spanish title since the 2016-17 season; the only one Modrić has ever won. Barcelona face Osasuna Thursday at noon as well.
For all the success Modrić has had at Real Madrid since coming over from Tottenham in the summer of 2012; most of the silverware has been won in international tournaments and not domestic play. Modrić only has the 2017 La Liga crown and the 2014 Copa del Rey title to his name. If you want to count Spanish SuperCups – which is stretch in my opinion – Modrić has collected three of those in his tenure.
But the big boys – and where the accolades really come in – are the four Champions League trophies Modrić helped Real Madrid grab after being called “the worst bust in La Liga” after his first season in 2012-13. Modrić only got better with age – like a fine wine – lifting the Champions League trophy in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Simply amazing! Real Madrid currently hold the record for most European club championships with 13. The second most goes to AC Milan with 7.
Marca once bashed the Croatian midfielder for being a flop, but now he is a hero in the Spanish capital, especially after the departure of Ronaldo to Juventus in 2018. How the tides have changed. Here’s what Marca had to say this week about Modrić:
“The Croatian was the latest of the three to find his best form, now showing signs of what helped Croatia to the World Cup final and saw him named 2018’s Ballon d’Or. Even at his worst points since then, Zinedine Zidane trusted him and that faith has been rewarded now. Modrić is again proving himself as the best midfielder in Europe and he’ll be looking to do the same until his contract ends in 2021.”
There were rumors this could be Modrić’s last season with Los Blancos even though his contract runs through next season. If it is, a La Liga title is the way to go out. And if Real Madrid could overturn a 2-1 1st leg loss to Manchester City in the Champions League Round of 16, they could make an honest run to another European title.
Modrić in 2013 after Marca called him a ‘bust’
@slavonac
Are you really surprised? Wherever he goes it ends up in a disappointment but you can guarantee in a few months another stupid article on here about the possibility of him returning as the coach for Croatia.
Oh wow, I just checked.
WBA are winless in three games, and Brentford are on a crazy win streak.
I thought this was over, but WBA are about to lose 2nd place and probably end up having to go into a playoff.
Tough to swallow, especially since they were in first for so long.
It’s kind of a theme with Bilic, huh
He always makes a great first impression, but then fizzles as time passes
Bilic’s team shit the bed!
Kralj Luka!
Modric is the best player and a great Croat!
Lets give a mention to Ante Budimir 12 goals with that crappy Mallorca team. Worth a look.
Brekalos progress only stunted because he refused to wear the rainbow arm guard
The push back he received shocked the young Croat and will only make him stronger in moving forward
He has the know how and skills to succeed
Lol, Brekalo is 22 years old, has almost 100 caps in the bundesliga, and has started everywhere he’s gone, and whatever team he has been on looks worse without him on the pitch… we are so spoiled, but it is awesome
I really hope that Atalanta can snag him.
Milan is after him too, which wouldn’t be bad for developing chemistry with Rebić.
Either one would be better than wasting his time at Wolfsburg.
But you’ve been mockingly calling him childish names for a long time; Names that don’t portend to future excellence.
No hedging. I think brekalo will be good.
@vatrena cast
Playing for Mourinho doesnt always help.
Truth Troll trying to hedge is bets on his childish name calling of Brekalo?
Couple quick
I refer to brekalo as bustalo even though my models predict him to be good…bustalo just too good a name not to use
The thing about modric… and you can even see it in ante interview when ante mentions the marca but thing is modric has some dog in him
He’s a good nice guy but as it relates to soccer he’s not necessarily a nice guy…or more so he’s no beta and got a chip on the shoulder
Luka Modric—9:
Luka Modric has turned back time post-quarantine. The midfielder has been a man possessed and it was as if he had three lungs again, covering multiple positions and dictating the flow of the game. Team high of 3 key passes, 3 completed dribbles, and 3 tackles.
Real Modrić wins again!!
Now he has 3 weeks to rest and bring it @ Man City.
Oh no does that mean raketa would get the blame for Barca not winning the title
Oh the plot thickens
Brekalo the Vaginia slayer will be fine.
Brekalo the Vaginia slayer will be fine.
espnfc headline:
>>Modric 9/10, Benzema 8/10 as Real Madrid crowned La Liga champions
writeup:
MF Luka Modric, 9 — Has looked as good as ever over the last month. Got into the box repeatedly in the first half, testing Asenjo, and set up Benzema’s opener. Seven La Liga assists this season, his best ever tally.
Whoever is calling brekalo bustalo
Let’s give all Croats till 25 to prove themselves
Tho the god of halilovic train is running out of gas
Modric greatest Croat footballer
Maybe not pound for pound the most talented ever but the overall package can’t be beat
only reason he was a “bust” in the first season is because he joined Real so late, had no time prepare and practice with them that summer.
1-0 Real, Modric to Benz.
Vlasic scores
RM would be fools to not re-sign him.
You could tell it was a dream come true for Luka scoring at Poljud
Would have creamed in his pants i reckon
Am I getting a sneaking suspicion that if the euros were on right now as it should be that we would be tearing it up right now
Was Luka ever a bust
Hardly
Luka legend! Blessed to see him score vs. Hungary in Poljub. They would have beat France 3-0 that night. Shout out to Ante K. TY
Epic CSR interviews over the years !!
@ Svima
That locker room before Real Modrić era was toxic.
The last day transfer Levy special didn’t help.
Respect to both Modrić and Rakitic for making it at the two most challenging clubs on the planet.
Can you imagine the list of failed Real Madrid and Barcelona transfers over the decades?
Modrić has that core confidence in him that has sourced his legendary career.
Why would Zidane lose him even if only part time status next year?
Rotate all season and play a fresh Luka in the big matches.
Is there a better place for him to play part time next year?
He CANNOT strain himself with some lesser club who do not have there shit together.
Zidane and staff understand recovery rhythms.
Boban AC Milan would have been great but that died.
Which other club is there to have Luka primed for Euro ‘21?
Luka has become a Real Madrid legend.
Why lose him now?