In a night of football that will be etched in Real Madrid's storied history, Luka Modric took centre stage once again—this time, not just for his wizardry on the ball, but for rewriting the record books.
At 39, the Croatian legend became the oldest player to ever don the famous white shirt, and he did so in style, delivering a crucial assist that helped his team to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo on Saturday, the 19th of October 2024.
Although the scoreline may not scream dominance, the victory was a statement in itself. It was a gritty encounter on the road, but Real Madrid’s composure under pressure and their ability to capitalise on key moments shone through.
The night began with Kylian Mbappé reminding everyone why he's one of the most feared attackers in world football. With just 20 minutes on the clock, Mbappé took a touch before curling a stunning long-range strike into the top corner, leaving Celta's defence in disbelief. Eduardo Camavinga provided the assist, setting up a goal worthy of highlight reels.
But this was far from a routine win. Celta Vigo, refusing to lie down, posed a real threat throughout the match. Williot Swedberg, in particular, had golden opportunities, one of which he squandered in a one-on-one with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Madrid's defence looked fragile at times, allowing Celta to expose them with quick counter-attacks.
Just five minutes into the second half, Celta's persistence paid off. Swedberg made amends for his earlier miss by turning in Oscar Mingueza's low cross to level the score. The Galician side could sense an upset on the horizon.
Yet, in Real Madrid’s ranks was a seasoned warrior who had seen it all. Enter Luka Modric, who is one of the best midfielders in Real Madrid history. The veteran midfielder’s presence was enough to calm the storm, and within minutes of his introduction, he made an immediate impact. Picking up the ball deep in midfield, Modric delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Vinicius Jr, who made no mistake in restoring Madrid's lead.
Vinicius had earlier seen a goal ruled out for offside, but this time there was no denying the Brazilian. His finish past Vicente Guaita put Madrid back in front and sealed all three points.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti was full of praise for his side and for Modric, calling him a "top professional" and expressing his joy at working with such a legend. “It’s a pleasure to coach Modric,” he said after the match. “He deserved this moment.”
With this victory, Real Madrid remain level on points with Barcelona, though they trail in goal difference. All eyes now turn to their upcoming Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund, where Modric will look to continue his timeless magic on the biggest stage.
Madrid may not have "thrashed" Celta on the scoreline, but with Modric making history and their title hopes alive, this win feels just as momentous.
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