Rumors have begun to swirl that Luka Modric could join Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and the rest of the players at Inter Miami.
It’s said that midfielder is upset with the reduced role he has had this season at Real Madrid, and given he is no longer an undisputed starter, he could emigrate to MLS.
At the pre-match press conference before the match against Osasuna, Carlo Ancelotti was asked about the possibility of the Croatian leaving Los Blancos during the next transfer window.
“I absolutely do not think that Modric is considering leaving in January, because he thinks he is an important player. We also think that he is very important, that he is still very important, that he will be very important for this season, so he isn’t considering leaving and we are happy with this,” said the coach.
Modric upset over his playing time
Although the Italian coach acknowledged that Modric is upset over his lack of playing time, he also said that he is still motivated to contribute something to Los Merengues.
“I talk to him every day and I see a player who obviously isn’t happy about not playing, but that said, he maintains a high level of motivation and desire to bring something to the team,” said Ancelotti.
“No one can bring what he brings to the locker room. It’s a charisma that he brings to his teammates. I totally understand him being affected by not playing, it happens to everyone who loves Modric. Fans, teammates, the coach… who also loves him.”
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Although he had options to leave Real Madrid in the summer, the 38-year-old chose to stay for one more season with the goal of continuing to extend his legacy at Real Madrid.
“I want to stay at Real Madrid, but only because I deserve to,” he said in mid-February after earning a new contract due to his performance.
However, now he is no longer an undisputed starter and his substitution at halftime in the defeat against Atletico Madrid, as well as his last two substitutions, have increased the chances of a possible departure in the January market.
A few days ago, Predrag Mijatovic, former Real Madrid player and sporting director, said that Modric is interested in staying at Real Madrid rather than leaving MLS or another league.
“Inter Miami? Honestly, I talk to him often and Modric is not thinking about leaving,” he said. “He wants to fight. He thinks he can contribute. He feels good.
“Although there are many games in the next three months and the situation can change for better or worse. We will see. At the moment he wants to fight at Real Madrid and wants to be a starter.”