Luka Modric is all smiles. With the arrival of his role model Zinedine Zidane in the dugout, a great game against Deportivo under his belt and his selection for the FIFA/FIFPro World XI, the Croat has a spring back in his step and the future is looking bright.
Zidane and Modric formed a strong alliance previously when the Frenchman was acting as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant. The Real no. 19 was already an admirer of Zidane as a player and the opportunity to train under him was an experience he relished, blown away by his charismatic new ‘gaffer’.
It is a connection that has been rekindled with the shake-up at Real. The Frenchman has given Modric new authority on the pitch, counting on him as his lieutenant, there to lead by example and spread his message out on the pitch. His maturity, his vision of football and his position have all led to Luka becoming the new ‘Los Blancos’ coach’s right-hand man.
When the two first worked together in the 2013-14 season, which ended with ‘La Décima’, Modric and Zidane occasionally stayed on after training to work on honing the Croat’s marksmanship with some long-distance shot practice. It was an illustration of the bond which has been in evidence again in recent days at Valdebebas. Just as Ancelotti did, Zidane knows that Modric is key to the way the season develops. In fact, the Frenchman’s esteem for the player was highlighted a year ago when he picked the Croat as the only Real Madrid midfielder for his dream team.
Bron: Marca
