Carlo Ancelotti described Luka Modric as “a gift for football” after scoring in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Girona on Sunday.
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Modric is a “gift for football”
Modric, 39, opened the scoring in the 41st minute at the Bernabeu, before VinÃcius Júnior added a late second,
The win kept Madrid level with Barcelona at the top of the LaLiga table.
The Croatia international is no longer a regular starter for Madrid, having made just nine league starts this season along with 15 appearances as a substitute.
However, the veteran midfielder remains an important figure in the locker room.
“Modric is a gift for football,” Ancelotti said in his post-match news 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.”
Still kicking at 40!
Modric, whose contract is due to expire this summer, is the oldest player ever to feature for Real Madrid.
He is about to turn 40 in September.
Ancelotti compared Modric to his legendary AC Milan player, Paolo Maldini, who won the 2007 Champions League at age 38 before retiring 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.”
“I don’t know if it’s one of my most spectacular [goals], but it was nice,” Modric told Real Madrid TV.
“It’s always special to score at the Bernabeu… The recent games show we’re in a good moment. We have to keep going. I think we can still grow as a team.”
Ancelotti: Luka Modric is a “gift for football”
