Luka Modric names Real Madrid’s best penalty takers for a potential Champions League Final shootout
Before the Champions League Final tonight against Liverpool, Real Madrid fans have been mulling over the potential penalty kick takers for the team.
Los Blancos have a great record in shootouts, as so many players at the club have ice in their veins in the clutch. Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos, of course, were two of the best penalty takers in the world.
Karim Benzema is the current penalty taker, and he reaffirmed his status from the spot with a decisive Panenka against Manchester City in the semifinals.
But who else can Real Madrid rely on from the spot? It is a big unknown for Madridistas.
Earlier this week, Luka Modric answered that question in an interview with his opinion on the team’s best penalty takers ahead of the Champions League Final vs. Liverpool at the Stade de France.
Luka Modric endorses Casemiro as a good penalty taker
His choices?
Benzema was, of course, mentioned. And so was his fellow midfield star Toni Kroos. Modric nominated himself, too, which makes sense. Lucas Vazquez got a clear nod, as nobody has forgotten his ball-spinning first penalty in a final against Atletico Madrid.
But Modric also mentioned that Casemiro and Fede Valverde can take good penalties, which may surprise some fans. He gave nods to David Alaba, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo Goes in closing, and those are three names Madridistas probably had in mind. Alaba is a great technician and seems like he’d be solid from the spot, given his experience and quality on free kicks.
So in a hypothetical five, Luka Modric would for sure have himself, Kroos, Vazquez, and Benzema in there. The fifth? Fede is a possibility, but many fans would lean to Alaba and Rodrygo. The latter has been SO clutch in the Champions League, after all.
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Yet it is important to keep in mind that Kroos may not even be on the pitch by that point in the game. Modric might not be either. So it really could be up to the young stars like Vini and Rodrygo to become heroes if the Champions League Final comes down to a penalty shootout between elite keepers Thibaut Courtois and Alisson.