Even though players remain dedicated to their club and teammates, it’s common for frustration to build and occasionally become overwhelming when they find themselves starting fewer games for their team. Luka Modric is finding himself gradually losing his spot in the starting lineup to Jude Bellingham, who has been nothing short of outstanding since his arrival at the club.
Real Madrid’s wealth of young talent, particularly in the midfield, has given rise to intense competition for playing time in the Spanish capital. Bellingham’s versatility as a natural midfielder who can also contribute significantly in front of goal, scoring ten times in ten matches, has made him a formidable presence in the Real Madrid midfield.
Luka Modric on playing fewer minutes this season
When a player of the calibre of Luka Modric says, ‘I just want to play’, you know his featuring in matches has significantly declined, and he’s just deeply frustrated at his lack of playing time.
The seasoned midfielder’s playing time at the Santiago Bernabeu has diminished significantly following the arrival of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund during the summer. Luka Modric has been featured in only seven matches for Los Blancos this season and has spent just 388 minutes on the pitch.
The Croatian superstar is used to playing and starting at the centre of the park. Hence, he has expressed his dislike for being on the bench, but he also acknowledged and accepted the manager’s decision to use him more sparingly in the current campaign. This indicates his professionalism and understanding of the team’s dynamics. However, he may not be able to endure this much longer.
Luka Modric expressed his frustration as per Fabrizio Romano, saying, “I don’t want to be out. I just want to play, if necessary, every three days because I feel physically well. Everything that happens around me is a normal process, so I simply accept it like that. I have to prepare for this situation mentally. Accept and move on.”
Very few in comparison to last season’s feature, Luka Modric has played only 388 minutes after 9 games this season, and he is disappointed that he has been dropped in the Real Madrid pecking order.
Who are Carlo Ancelotti’s preferred players in the midfield?
Jude Bellingham has proven to be an outstanding addition for the 14-time Champions League winners, as the English midfielder has remarkably scored 10 goals in just as many matches and has already begun making his mark by setting records at the club.
Camavinga, another Ancelotti midfield preference, has played 11 matches, amassing a total of 645 minutes, however, with no goal scored. Toni Kross is the third midfielder who has had more starts than Luka Modric this season. He has played 11 fixtures and amassed a total of 539 minutes. Toni Kroos has, in fact, scored once and assisted twice in these fixtures.
On the other hand, Luka Modric, the least preferred in the Real Madrid midfield, has played only 9 times this season, amassing a total of 388 minutes. This irregular start has indeed affected his form, as he has no goals or assists so far in this campaign.
It appears that Luka Modric is gradually losing his spot to Jude Bellingham, but he has acknowledged his outstanding performance regardless, saying, “I was really impressed with Bellingham. We have things to alter, like how we played out from the back. We tried to play more through the middle than out wide to make the most of the space between the lines.”
What are your thoughts on Luka Modric’s future with Real Madrid? Share your take with us in the comments.
