Mansion Sports – Former Barcelona and Sevilla player Ivan Rakitic delivered criticism toward the decision that allowed Luka Modric to leave Real Madrid and join AC Milan.

He considers the departure of the legendary midfielder as a major loss. Rakitic expressed his surprise that a player with still extraordinary quality like Modric was allowed to leave the Santiago Bernabeu, despite still being capable of performing at a very high level.

The transfer occurred at a time when Real Madrid decided to carry out a generational change within their squad. However, according to Rakitic, Modric’s contribution was still very valuable for the team, so his departure is considered a decision that deserves to be questioned.

From Generational Change in Madrid to a Revival with Milan

Last summer, Real Madrid’s management prioritized the regeneration process by building the future of the team around young players such as Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, and Federico Valverde.

Although Modric was still able to compete at the highest level, his role within the team began to change into appearing more frequently as a substitute player.

When his contract ended last summer, the club decided to give a respectful farewell to the midfielder from Croatia while opening the path for a new generation within the squad.

Since joining AC Milan, the 40-year-old player has instead demonstrated that age is not a limitation in the world of football. He has become an important figure in the Rossoneri’s journey this season.

Modric has appeared in 30 matches in all competitions, contributing two goals and three assists, while also becoming the playmaker for the team that currently occupies second position in the Serie A standings.

The experience and leadership that he possesses have also played a major role in keeping AC Milan competitive at the top of the table, with a gap of only seven points from the league leaders Inter. This shows that Modric’s vision of the game and professionalism remain at a high level in Italian football competition.

A Major Loss for Spanish Football

In his interview on Radio MARCA, Rakitic discussed the legacy left by his fellow countryman.

He stated that the decision was a major mistake, not only for Real Madrid but also for Spanish football as a whole. According to him, there should have been a greater effort to retain Modric at the club.

He also assessed that with the condition currently being experienced by Real Madrid, the team’s coach would most likely be very happy if he still had a player with qualities like Modric in the squad.

Rakitic expressed that the situation makes him feel sad, because age is often used as a benchmark when a player is considered too old, while what Modric has shown actually proves that football does not recognize age limits.

Rakitic also emphasized the extraordinary professionalism possessed by Modric. He mentioned that the player is different from many other players.

According to him, Modric’s success is not a coincidence, because he always maintains his physical condition and prepares himself very well.

In the end, players who work hard deserve good results. He also added that Modric currently looks happy and enjoys football, and the most important thing is that everyone can still enjoy his performances for as long as possible.

Real Madrid Struggle While Modric Shines

Under the direction of coach Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid have experienced a fairly difficult period. Their midfield often appears to lose control of the game as well as the ability to manage the tempo that for more than a decade became Modric’s main strength.

Although Arbeloa possesses several talented players with strong physical abilities, the absence of an experienced figure capable of providing calmness in midfield is considered to affect the team’s ability to control matches throughout this season.

As conveyed by Rakitic, the Real Madrid coach would most likely greatly appreciate the presence of a player with a character like Modric to lead the team’s play at the present time.

Last season, Real Madrid’s difficulties were once associated with their failure to find a replacement for Toni Kroos after the midfielder decided to retire.

Now, with Real Madrid positioned four points behind Barcelona in the La Liga standings and eliminated from the Copa del Rey, criticism has once again emerged that the club has not been able to close the gap left by Modric in midfield, especially when the 40-year-old player is instead receiving much praise for his performances in Serie A.

Modric’s Future and Challenges for Real Madrid

Modric’s impressive performances in his debut season at San Siro have encouraged AC Milan to push him to activate the option for a one-year contract extension.

The team coached by Massimiliano Allegri is currently trying to reduce the gap with the Serie A leaders Inter while also securing a ticket to the Champions League next season. That target is expected to convince the Croatia star to remain at the club.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid must face a major challenge due to the injury crisis currently affecting their squad.

That condition forces them to face Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday without the presence of several important players such as Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Eder Militao.