The new season has only just got underway and Luka Modrić is already back in the form of his life. In Balaidos, the Croatian, now without Casemiro, played some excellent football. The Croatian played in his 200th LaLiga victory for Real Madrid and put on a dazzling display against Celta in Vigo. First, he scored a wonder goal from outside the area to make it 2-1 to Madrid and then he set up Vini Jr. for his side’s next goal. When the midfielder was substituted in the 77th minute the Balaídos home crowd gave him a standing ovation.
His amazing performance vs Celta was not something new for the former Dinamo midfielder, but it does add merit to the fact that Casemiro's absence was combined with that of Toni Kroos, the other pillar of a trident on which the glorious recent history of the club has been built. Partnered in Vigo by Aurelien Tchouameni and with Eduardo Camavinga in tandem, Modric led the way in key passes (3) and crosses (2, like Ferland Mendy and Vinicius Jr). He also passed with surgical precision, with a 95.6 percent success rate on his 45 passes, and won three duels.
But he stood out for two remarkable tricks that even very few magicians are able to pull off. Justifying his No.10 shirt, he pulled a goal out of nowhere in the 41st minute. He received the ball from David Alaba on the left, controlled to prepare the field, drove, dribbled and dribbled and sent the ball to the left corner of Agustin Marchesin, one more spectator. It was 2-1, at the most opportune moment for the break to ease Los Blancos' nerves.
And in the 56th minute he was involved yet again. He built with Dani Carvajal and launched on his own, with a run and a long delivery to the measure of Vinicius, who reciprocated by disguising himself as Ronaldo for 3-1. The Brazilian liked his team-mate so much that he reacted like one of the fans, bowing to Modric.
Then, in the 77th minute, the gift went to him. On his way to the bench with his duty done, Balaidos surprised him by giving him a standing ovation that underlines the category of the stands and of the player, a character who is liked by all.
Modrić expressed his appreciation of the gesture: “It’s a really nice thing and it’s special when the fans of other teams show their appreciation and applaud you. I’m really pleased, I’d like to thank those fans for this day”.
A fine victory: “It’s a really important win at a ground where we always find it difficult and Celta make it tough for us. We played well, especially in the second half. We have to keep this going”.
About Casemiro: “It’s a shame, we’ve made history with him here, he’s been a crucial player for us. We’ll really miss him both as a footballer and as a person, but it’s part of football. Now we have to carry on without him and each of us will step up”.
His numbers: Modrić, who has made the 2022 Ballon d’Or shortlist, has now won 200 LaLiga games in 296 appearances, scoring 23 times. His most impressive league campaigns in terms of games won came in 2012-13 and 2013-14, with 24 victories in each. The Croatian maestro got his eleventh season at the club underway with success in the European Super Cup and he’s racked up an incredible trophy haul of 5 Champions Leagues, 4 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 3 LaLiga titles, 4 Spanish Super Cups and 1 Copa del Rey.
On the verge of turning 37, which is already looming in September, Modric's quality and physique show no signs of expiring. In May he renewed his contract until 2023 And, although it is August, with the level he maintains, it would be unreasonable not to think that he will achieve his goal of extending his contract until 2024. His is a timeless legend.
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