Real Madrid’s midfield maestro, remained diplomatic about the 23-year-old’s decision to snub Madrid
Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric
Luka Modric has said there is no need to “crucify” Kylian Mbappe over his decision to snub Real Madrid and stay at Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe appeared destined to leave PSG in a free transfer and join the European and Spanish champions, but he instead signed a new contract with the French side that keeps him tied to the club until 2025.
Modric, Real Madrid’s midfield maestro, remained diplomatic about the 23-year-old’s decision to snub Madrid and says the club can thrive without him.
“Mbappe decided as he decided, that is his right and now he lives with that decision. It goes on,” he told Croatian sports daily Sportske.
“We all thought he would come to us, it didn’t happen and — now what? Well, we’re not going to crucify the man.
“Mbappe is a great player, but as I always repeat, in any context, no player is more important than the club. Real is the greatest, above every player and it will always be like that. Who knows what can happen tomorrow, let alone in three or four years in football? Only time will tell.”
Madrid are looking to build on their Champions League and La Liga success last season.
Carlo Ancelotti returned to Santiago Bernabeu to guide the capital club to the two titles and Modric credited the coach’s “calmness and stability” as crucial factors in their 2021-22 season.
“A new coach arrived. Carlo Ancelotti found a lot of players from his first era at Madrid. This made it easier to adapt to the new course, after the great years with Zinedine Zidane.”