Luka Modric is Real Madrid’s newest no. 10

With James’s loan move to Bayern Munich, the no. 10 shirt was left vacant. However,  Real Madrid quietly gave Modric the same number he wears with the Croatian national team.

The change comes after Modrić wore the not-so-special no.19 Jersey for five seasons, ever since his arrival to the Spanish Capital back in 2012. Before James and Modrić , players like Luis Figo, Robinho, and Mesut Ozil have worn the “play maker” Jersey for Real Madrid.

Such move also indicates that James is almost certainly not coming back to Real Madrid. Some fans had a few bits of hope that after the next two seasons, Real could get James back to the squad, as the deal between Los Blancos and Bayern was a loan rather than a permanent purchase.

By 2019 (Modrić  was no.19, coincidence?) Ronaldo and Modrić  will be 34 and 33 respectively. While James being the substitute for Modrić  or Cristiano is a nice idea, it’s also an unlikely one. James would be 28 years old and settled in Munich by that time, not to mention that Bayern isn’t a small team so getting back a player with James’s level in his prime from them to be part of an already stacked squad would be extremely difficult, let alone sensible.

Personally, I disagree with Real Madrid’s decision to give Modrić the no. 10 for several reasons. First and foremost, doing this right now seems awkward. After five seasons playing with the same shirt, for a player of Modrić’s caliber , changing numbers right now just doesn’t fit.

In my small time as a football fan, I never saw an elite player change jersey numbers after more than one season with a certain club. In fact, the only instances I can remember, in which a player in Modrić’s level changed their jersey number were precisely two: Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso in Bayern Munich. Both happened after exactly one season with their respective clubs.

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Another reason why I disagree with the move is that the no.19 would’ve become an iconic number in Real Madrid, all thanks to Modrić himself. I believe that had Modrić continued to wear 19 until he retired or left Madrid, the shirt would’ve become some sort of footballing icon, just like how no.14 became a special number because of Johan Cruyff.

Moreover, Real already had a chance to give Modrić the no.10 in 2013 (exactly one season after Modrić’s arrival) after Mesut Ozil’s departure. To give him the number now and not then, is inexplainable from my perspective.

Finally, I don’t want Modrić to wear the no.10 jersey because I have a creepy feeling that it’s cursed. Looking at those who wore it, something bad happened to them. Robinho flopped. Lassana Diarra was quietly shown the exit door, despite being a superb utility player in the midfield. He was vital during Jose Mourinho’s era in stopping Barca’s midfield. Mesut Ozil was surprisingly sold to Arsenal in order to secure funds for the purchase of Gareth Bale. Lastly, James has gone to Bayern Munich after suffering for two seasons with limited game time, despite being an absolute beast on the pitch. Let’s hope it’s Madrid’s ex-no.19 who will break the no.10 curse.

Yet, I can’t deny that I am happy for Luka. It’s a little too late, in my opinion. However, it’s still a nice gesture by the club, showing their gratitude for the Croatian’s quality, hard work and dedication throughout the years.

Furthermore, Modrić wearing number10 alongside Kroos with number 8 will definitely be aesthetically pleasing. There is always something magical when those two play together and the change in numbers may improve the experience of watching them on the pitch.

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So what do you think guys? Would it have been better if Modric kept the number 19 jersey? Is Modric going to break the number 10 “curse”? Hit us in the comments below!