Real Madrid: Grading the midfielders from the 2020-2021 season

CM Luka Modric

And now, it is time to grade the final starter in Real Madrid’s vaunted triumvirate of midfielders. Luka Modric had a slow start to the 2019-2020 season, but he ended the year in top, top form, seemingly reaching new levels with each passing month. So by the time the 2020-2021 season started, Modric was back to his world-class best, and he was truly untouchable during the first half of the season. He was probably Real’s best player.

Because of all the minutes he had to play and the sheer amount of running he was asked to do as a dynamic attacking player and industrious ball-recovering center mid, Modric did begin to slow down a little bit by the end of the season. That only served to show he is human, because he was still great.

Modric had a combined 2.5 tackles and interceptions per game in LaLiga with more interceptions than tackles. He was rarely dribbled past in midfield, giving Real Madrid real solidity and activity from a defensive standpoint.

Although Lukita had just three assists, he was the victim of wasteful finishing from the wingers. Because he made so many delightful, teasing short passes into the penalty area, as reflected by a healthy 1.4 key passes per game.

An all-around presence for Real Madrid who controlled some of the biggest games of the season, Lukita scored five times in LaLiga and had some bangers. Modric is still one of the world’s best, and it’s safe to say he reminded fans around the world of that fact in 2020-2021.

Rating: 8.5