Recent rumors have linked Real Madrid center midfielder Luka Modric to David Beckham’s Inter Miami project, and while the Ballon d’Or holder has done his best to reduce those rumblings to rubble, it’s hard not to start mulling over his future beyond 2019-2020.
Luka Modric has been working past injuries in 2019-2020, but the Real Madrid icon has recently picked up his form. After teasing a return to his best play by scoring an absolute banger in Real’s 4-2 win over Granada before the October international break, Modric’s play regressed again.
At the age of 34, it’s fair to wonder if Modric can still hold up in grueling 90-minute matches consistently. But in Real’s final game before the November international break against Eibar, Modric seemed to quell those doubts by putting together his best performance of the season.
Modric was his usual brilliant self, turning back the clock with timely dribbles, sharp passing, and composed play in midfield alongside Fede Valverde and Casemiro. He played all 90 minutes, recorded an assist, completed about 92% of his passes, and even completed three dribbles, per WhoScored.com.
After a tumultuous start to the season in which his present contributions to the club were questioned, Modric reestablished himself as a key player in Real’s midfield. Given how well Toni Kroos has played and Isco’s own recent reemergence, Modric won’t be a weekly starter again. But that’s OK. As he showed against Eibar, he can still have a crucial role in the team without starting every game, and this may be preferable as a way of managing his minutes.
But it was curious to see a certain rumor pop up after his best performance of the season. Apparently, David Beckham is doing his best to convince Modric that he should join his MLS project at Inter Miami, which will already have a star striker in Edinson Cavani.
Beckham has gotten some huge names linked to his new club, though some of those rumors are quite ridiculous. Remember the Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane rumors?
If Modric were to show serious signs of decline, then it actually wouldn’t be far-fetched for the 34-year-old Croatia international to make his way to America, where the likes of Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have become fan favorites as older players. Usually, veteran forwards find success in MLS, but Modric could bring a new style of football to the United States with his all-around brilliance in the center of the park.
However, that same brilliance was on display for a full 90 minutes against Eibar. That is an indication that Modric still has plenty to give to Zidane, especially if the manager can find the right role for him. It shouldn’t be difficult for Zidane to do this, though, as Modric can receive plenty of cover from Valverde or Casemiro in an attacking role. And if Isco is sold this winter, that opens up more minutes for Modric behind Kroos.
Projecting Modric’s role in the club this season is difficult, and if the right offer comes their way, Modric could leave in the summer. That offer, however, is unlikely for a 34-year-old, because it only seems like the MLS would come calling. He would seemingly go to the MLS, if he had no more opportunities with Los Merengues. And this exit would only take place if Modric showed that he no longer had anything left to give. After his performance at Eibar, there’s still plenty of hope the World Cup finalist has a place in the rotation.