In the absence of Nacho, he becomes captain. A season that will make him the oldest player and, perhaps, the one who has won the most titles in the club’s history.
The Santiago Bernabéu stands up and applauds: oh captain, my captain. Because there is a new leader at the helm of the team. Without Nacho, Modric takes over the Real Madrid armband. One last promotion for a player who has long been living in heaven. The icing on the cake of an unforgettable career in white, but one that opens the door to an even more memorable farewell: to say goodbye by lifting a Champions League trophy, a La Liga title, or a trophy. Modric faces this season with the challenge on the horizon. And two more.
The first, probably the biggest: right now he is the footballer who has won the most titles in the entire history of Real Madrid… but tied with Nacho (26). A shared throne that, after the departure of the defender, is within reach. If he wins one, it will be his alone. He could achieve this on 14 August: he plays the European Super Cup, against Atalanta (in Warsaw). If he does not achieve it, he will have six more chances: Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup. One will do for him. Although he will want seven.
Seven Champions Leagues?
It doesn’t end there: right now there are four players who have won a whopping six Champions Leagues (Modric, Carvajal, Nacho and Kroos). Four, in the entire history. After the departure of the last two, if Luka and Dani win another Champions League, they will take the lead and become the first players to win seven, on their own. Another record on the horizon. Another dizzying goal.
And surpassing Puskás
What is certain is that Modric will star in a photograph for eternity: wearing the armband, he will become the oldest player to play a match for Real Madrid. This will happen as soon as he plays on or after 17 October, when he will surpass the 39 years and 36 days with which Puskás played a Copa del Rey match (against Betis, in 1966). Modric is already the oldest player in La Liga for Madrid, but with this assault he will become the leader in all competitions. Promotion and honor for a footballer who, who knows, may be facing his last season. Carpe diem. For now, there is a new captain.
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