"He should keep going for as long as he wants to" - Ancelotti praises 'gift' Modric

Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti assured that Croatian Luka Modric should “continue until he wants to,” hinting at the possibility of renewing his contract with the club for one more season to reach the age of 40 playing at the elite level.

Modric paved Real Madrid's way to victory, to end a run of three consecutive draws in La Liga, with a great goal against Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium that drew numerous accolades.

“Modric is a good gift for football,” Ancelotti stressed. “He should keep going for as long as he wants to because what he does he does very well. Real Madrid is lucky to have a legend who has marked an era and football, a great gift for his quality and professionalism,” he added.

Ancelotti recalled another legend he managed at the age of 40, Paolo Maldini, convinced that Modric can match the Italian defender and still prolong his career at Real Madrid despite his age.

“I have an example with another 40-year-old player who won the Champions League like Maldini. The two can be compared in what a footballer has to be. They are fantastic examples,” he said.

“It's not by chance to reach this age. An important piece is genetics, but above all seriousness, commitment and attitude, which is the only way to reach this age as Maldini did and Modric is going to do,” said the Italian coach.

February 23, 2025