commentSergio Ramos and Luka Modrić’s contracts expire at the end of the season. Both players are at least outwardly relaxed in this regard, but also make no secret of the fact that they want to stay in Madrid for a longer period beyond the summer. Why should there be room for a little football romance at Real Madrid and why a contract extension for the two old stars beyond the romantic would be a smart and sensible move. An analyzing comment from REAL TOTAL editor Max-Friedrich Bading.
Ramos and Modrić are ripe … for renewal! Foto: imago images / Cordon Press/Miguelez Sports
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Football is evolving
Los Blancos’ personnel policy is to offer players from the age of 32 only one-year contracts – if at all. But honestly: Isn’t that a little outdated?
Medical care as well as training and load control have continuously developed over time. Football itself and thus its players are becoming more and more professional year after year in order to be able to meet the high demands of modern football. Bloated game calendars create an enormous physical strain. If you don’t take care of yourself and shape your life with the right attitude in terms of competitive sport, you can quickly get sidelined.
The old guard dominates
All these developments also ensure that the performance limit shifts back in time. It is also worth taking a look at other major sports:
A Lewis Hamilton dominates Formula 1 as ever and has just broken all the records of a certain Michael Schuhmacher. Age? 35! Novak Đoković, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer still dominate the tennis world and make almost all titles among themselves. Age? 33, 34, and 39!
In the 90s and 00s, people still talked about an optimal football age between 26 and 30, but nowadays they often only reach their zenith between 30 and 35. Examples, please? At 32, Robert Lewandowski is in the shape of his life and was recently voted Europe’s Footballer of the Year, and Lionel Messi (33) and Cristiano Ronaldo (35) hardly show any signs of age. And: A certain Luka Modrić was named the oldest world footballer of all time in 2018 at the age of 33 (together with Fabio Cannavaro; was also 33 in 2006). Facts that show that Real’s approach is now outdated with older players.
Dudek was the last
The last career end of a player at Concha Espina dates back to 2011, almost ten years ago, when Jerzy Dudek was substituted on the last league match against UD Almería shortly before the end of the game. What heartwarming images were those when his teammates gathered on the sideline to stand in line for the goalkeeper. Every Madridista would wish to see something like this more often in the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu at home. Football lives not only from titles and goals, but also from its emotions and the solidarity of the fans their Players. In addition, the sometimes more than unworthy departures of club icons such as Raúl González, Guti or Iker Casillas should be warning examples of how fans support their players Not want to see them leave the club. With all the pressure to perform, even at an enormously success-oriented club like Real Madrid, there has to be room for a little football romance every now and then.
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Second spring with Ramos and Modrić
In any case, the performance aspect is not an argument that speaks against an extension of the Ramos and Modrić contracts. Both are in their second spring as footballers and have been making good appearances on the pitch, especially since the restart last season. With the Croatian, now 35 years old, it can be argued whether he was not even the best in form from Madrid at the start of the season. Lively, fun to run and as a sure-footed driver like in his prime, the 2018 vice world champion is currently presenting himself.
Ramos, already 34, is also a tireless driver and continues to be of fundamental importance for Real’s defensive stability. But not only that: “El Capitán” also shines offensively more than ever, and can now boast of being the most dangerous goal defender in LaLiga history. Especially after the Corona break, in the final spurt of last season, Ramos often pulled the royal car out of the mud, scored six goals in his ten games – as a central defender! Real’s LaLiga everyday life is often tough against opponents who hide deep in their own half and against whom it is then difficult to create scoring chances – as was often seen in said league final spurt. In such close matches, it is not uncommon for penalties or headed goals according to standards to bring the longed-for release. Actually quite reassuring when one of the (or the?) best headers and penalty takers in the world in their own ranks.
Management changes and contract extensions can go hand in hand
A contract extension with Ramos and Modrić, who are good friends off the field and regularly spend their holidays together with their families, would also not be an obstacle in terms of a change in the team. Young players can learn a lot from such leaders and their experience and ultimately benefit from them. In any case, Ramos and Modrić will need and get their breaks, and thus the next generation will have their employment opportunities. Even now, “Lukita” is regularly rotated out of the starting XI for Federico Valverde and accepts Zidane’s decisions without grumbling. A gradual change in the roster could also be designed well with the presence of the two old stars. But first and foremost, performance on the field should always be the focus, which is why you don’t have to replace two well-functioning players just because of their age.
So, dear Florentino Pérez: Please deviate from your dogma of the one-year contract and give Luka Modrić and Sergio Ramos their last longer contracts. The two have at least two good years left in which to help the club achieve great success. They definitely deserved it. 2014, Lisbon, minute 93, corner Modrić, Ramos header, “la Décima” – you know what?
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