Ranking Real Madrid’s 10 most unforgettable moments of 2021

2. Luka Modric bosses El Derbi

Luka Modric has been working to his fullest potential this season. He had to cover for Toni Kroos’s absence at the beginning of the season. Then, he was totally in his element once the German joined him in the middle of the park. Moreover, this season has also been the one with rare ‘Luka the captain’ sightings in Spain. The maestro has elevated responsibilities this season and he has been at it, more so in big games.

His best moment of 2021 and Real’s second most unforgettable moment of the year comes from the last Madrid Derbi that was played in the Bernabeu. Modric had one spectacular shift in midfield. The 36 years young Croatian was quick to win the ball, pick up all sorts of pieces and absolutely dominate play with his God-blessed holding and passing abilities to anchor play.

Real’s first goal was a result of Modric’s recovery in the mid-way line. He ended the game with four dribbles, two tackles, and three interceptions along with many, many more recoveries. Stats will hardly come to show the impact the Croatian maestro had on this very, very special win.

1. Karim Benzema humiliates ter Stegen

To round this list off and so to round off a great 2021 for Real Madrid, here is the best moment of the year in my opinion. And the player giving us fans, this most unforgettable moment of the year is none other than the undisputed striker King of Madrid, Karim Benzema.

This was from the second Clasico of the league of the 2020-21 season. It was a match for more than just bragging rights. With the league race getting tighter at the top, winning against Barca would give Real Madrid a definitive advantage.

And, it was none other than King Karim who roared the loudest yet again. Fede Valverde played a major part in the goal in carrying the ball into the attacking third before laying in wide for Lucas Vazquez who in turn found Benzema who scored with one of the most deceptive finishes we’d ever see in LaLiga. He flicked the ball with his heel and the ball rolled into the net leaving Marc-Andre ter Stegen bamboozled at his near post. The German did get a touch, but he knew absolutely nothing about what had just happened. Real Madrid added another through Toni Kroos’s deflected freekick and registered a third straight Clasico win.

But, that opener from Karim Benzema will live on longer in our memories and would continue to haunt the Catalans every time they see the striker King of Madrid advancing on their defense.