There is one thing Luka Modric seems to have grown tired of hearing more than anything else, not because it angers him, but because hearing it repeatedly for so many years has started to become exhausting for one of football’s most enduring players.
Modric, speaking openly about his experience at Real Madrid and his life on and off the pitch, addressed the issue that has followed him for years: his age. And this time, his message was clear: the number written in a passport should not be the standard by which a footballer is judged.
Modric said that repeatedly hearing about his being 40 does not annoy or anger him, but has started to make him tired, explaining that these conversations did not begin recently and actually date back to 2019, when he was 33.
“You should look at what you do on the pitch.”
Since then, Modric says he has continued to achieve and perform at a high level, noting that there were periods when he felt he was producing the best performances of his career.
For Modric, age should not be the decisive factor when evaluating a player, whether they are 18, 30, 40 or even 50. The real measure is whether the player can compete and prove it day after day.
He also sees the constant discussion about his age as extra motivation to prove people wrong and show that a player can continue performing at a high level despite getting older.
When asked what Real Madrid gave him beyond the Champions League and all the trophies, Modric pointed to something he considers even more important.
He explained that Real Madrid taught him never to give up, always fight until the end, always believe and always give his best, adding that the club strengthened these qualities that were already part of his personality.
Modric also spoke about his many dramatic victories and unforgettable nights at the Santiago Bernabeu, saying those matches represented the essence of Real Madrid and that the players, supporters and stadium created an atmosphere that made them believe until the very end.
Asked about the famous midfield trio with Casemiro and Toni Kroos, Modric refused to judge whether they were the greatest midfield trio in history, but admitted that he greatly enjoyed playing alongside both of them.
He said their understanding was so strong that they could understand each other even with their eyes closed, describing playing alongside them in midfield as incredible.
He also revealed that training sessions were sometimes harder than certain matches, describing that period as an incredible one.
When discussing his physical condition, Modric said he feels that he is in very good shape, but rejected the idea that genetics alone explain his longevity.
Genetics may play a role, he explained, but they are not enough. Maintaining such a level requires constant work and 100 percent dedication every day, even during holidays.
Modric revealed that he cannot remember the last time he went an entire week without doing any physical activity. Even during breaks, he trains, plays tennis or basketball, or goes running.
For him, this has become part of who he is, alongside his love of sport and his passion for football, which he considers extremely important to his ability to continue.
Ultimately, Modric said his desire to keep challenging himself and prove that he can compete with younger players is one of the reasons he has been able to remain at such a high level for so long.
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