The surprising statistic that puts Modric ahead of every Real Madrid player this season | OneFootball

Luka Modric remains a key figure at Real Madrid, and his consistency on the pitch this season has been remarkable.

In fact, according to SPORT, the veteran midfielder leads the club in terms of total appearances, having played in 51 matches when combining both his games for Real Madrid and the Croatian national team.

While he does not top the list for the most minutes played, he still ranks highly, sitting in 11th place among Carlo Ancelotti’s most-used players. However, if his minutes with Croatia are factored in, he moves up to 9th.

Comparison with his younger teammates

This season, nine Real Madrid players have featured in at least 40 matches, highlighting the depth and rotation within the squad.

Yet, what stands out is that Modric, at 39 years old, is the player with the most appearances, surpassing much younger teammates.

Federico Valverde comes in second with 50 matches, while Kylian Mbappe follows with 46. Meanwhile, Antonio Rudiger and Rodrygo have each played 45 times.

Luka Modric has played most matches among Real Madrid players. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Despite his age, Modric remains an essential part of Ancelotti’s plans, often starting every other match to manage his workload.

However, he featured in back-to-back games recently, playing against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League after already starting against Rayo Vallecano.

Important for Real Madrid and Croatia

His importance to the Croatian national team is just as significant. He has been a guaranteed starter in all six international matches since the beginning of the season, proving his enduring value.

For Real Madrid, he has featured in 45 out of the 48 matches played, showcasing his durability.

Modric’s contract with Real Madrid is set to expire in June, yet he continues to display his class whenever he is on the pitch. Despite the natural limitations that come with age, his technical ability and football intelligence remain undiminished.

Real Madrid supporters hold him in high regard and would love to see him extend his stay for another season, completing what would be his 14th campaign with the club.