Former Al-Nassr sporting director explains why move for Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric fell through
Former Al-Nassr sporting director Goran Vucevic has detailed why Real Madrid icon Luka Modric opted to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu last summer over joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.
The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner has established himself as one of the best midfielders of this generation. Despite being at the age of 38, he is still going strong at Real Madrid, scoring two goals and providing six assists in 37 appearances this season.
However, Modric could have potentially reunited with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr last summer. The Saudi Pro League outfit reportedly offered him a deal to join, however, the Croatian superstar opted to extend his contract with Los Blancos by one year, until the summer of 2024.
Vucevic said (via @TheNassrZone on X):
“Luka told us last summer that if Real Madrid do not offer him a new contract, he is very interested in accepting our offer but Real Madrid offered him a new one-year contract and his move to Al Nassr fell through.”
As per Sport (via GOAL), Real Madrid will not offer Modric a new contract this summer. He has been linked with moves to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.
Modric and Ronaldo played together for six years at Real Madrid between 2012 and 2018. They found plenty of success, winning 16 trophies in total.
"I had a completely different image of him in my mind" - Goran Vucevic gives his verdict on Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo
In addition, former Al-Nassr sporting director Goran Vucevic waxed lyrical about Cristiano Ronaldo, praising him for his work ethic, charisma, and dedication to his craft.
Despite being in the twilight years of his storied career, Ronaldo (39) is committed to his strict training regime and diet to ensure he is in the best shape possible. From the aforementioned source, Vucevic gave an insight into how Ronaldo is behind the scenes:
“Cristiano Ronaldo is a wonderful player and man. I had a completely different image of him in my mind until we started working together on a daily basis.”
He added:
“Cristiano trains from morning to evening every day. When you work with Ronaldo, you quickly realize that he is just someone who wants to be the best at everything. He speaks about it openly and insists on hard work aimed at ultimate success every day without exception.
“Cristiano has incredible charisma. When he enters the dressing room, he pumps the place with energy. Just being able to watch him in training every day makes the experience in Saudi Arabia worth it.”
Ronaldo is currently the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 29 goals in 25 games this season. Across all competitions, he has accumulated 36 goals and 12 assists in 37 appearances, showcasing why he is one of the best to ever grace the sport.