Football

Real Madrid has secured the services of midfield maestro Luka Modric for another three seasons, extending his contract until June 2025. The Croatian international, who joined the Spanish giants in 2012, has become an integral part of the club's success over the past decade.Modric, now 37, has played a pivotal role in Madrid's dominance in both domestic and European competitions. He has won an astonishing 26 titles with the club, including six Champions League trophies and four La Liga titles. His individual accolades include the Ballon d'Or, FIFA Player of the Year Award, and UEFA Player of the Year Award, all of which he received in 2018.Despite his advancing age, Modric remains a vital cog in Carlo Ancelotti's midfield. While he may not start as regularly as he once did, his experience and leadership qualities are invaluable to the team. With the retirement of Toni Kroos looming, Modric is expected to play a more prominent role in the coming seasons.Modric's exceptional vision, passing range, and ability to control the tempo of the game make him a formidable opponent. He is also renowned for his work ethic and determination, which have earned him the respect of both teammates and opponents alike.Off the field, Modric is a respected figure in the football world. He is the all-time record-holder for international caps with Croatia, having made 178 appearances for his country. He led Croatia to a runner-up finish at the 2018 World Cup, where he was named the Golden Ball winner as the tournament's outstanding player.Real Madrid's decision to extend Modric's contract is a testament to his enduring quality and the club's belief in his ability to continue contributing at the highest level. As he enters the twilight of his career, Modric will undoubtedly remain a key figure for both club and country.

Germany's hopes of triumphing at Euro 2024 on home soil hinge on overcoming Spain's midfield maestro, Rodri, in Friday's highly anticipated quarter-final clash. Since Spain's last competitive defeat to Scotland in March 2023, Rodri has played 77 matches for club and country, suffering only one loss when Manchester United defeated his Manchester City side in the FA Cup final in May.During this remarkable run, the 28-year-old has amassed an impressive collection of silverware, including two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup. He has also guided Spain to Nations League glory."In his position, he is the best - he can do everything. The quality, he reads the game, his mentality, he is always ready," said Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who has witnessed some of the greatest midfielders in the history of the sport. "He is so good at many things...The presence, the physicality, he is complete."Spain have been in scintillating form at Euro 2024, becoming the only team to win all four of their matches en route to the quarter-finals. Wonderkid wingers Yamine Lamal and Nico Williams have injected a direct threat into Luis de la Fuente's side, something even the legendary Spain team that won three consecutive major tournaments between 2008 and 2012 lacked.Fabian Ruiz, Pedri, and Dani Olmo provide additional guile from midfield, while the often-criticized Alvaro Morata has moved into a share of third place for the most goals in European Championship history.However, Rodri's all-round importance as the anchor of this Spanish side was evident in the last 16 against Georgia. Trailing to Robin Le Normand's own goal despite not facing a shot on target, Spain were beginning to show signs of frustration.Just after the half-hour mark, Rodri took possession, paused, and issued a calming instruction to his teammates. Moments later, he arrowed a low shot into the far corner for the equalizer, which served as the catalyst for a 4-1 victory."Sometimes 20 or 30 seconds of saying to people 'calm down' is more productive than going on the attack," Rodri said of his message of reassurance to the team.Despite being one of the world's leading lights in his position for several seasons, this is Rodri's first major tournament as Spain's starting six. At the 2022 World Cup, he was deployed as a center-back by Luis Enrique to accommodate an aging Sergio Busquets.The Barcelona legend's international retirement has severed the final link to Spain's last major tournament win in 2012. Now, Rodri's generation is eager to forge their own path and become national heroes."Germany will be strong at home, but they will be worried about us too," said the former Atletico Madrid man of the clash in Stuttgart. "We came to win and we are not afraid. Our mentality is to go on Friday with everything we have against Germany."Should Spain prevail, another midfield great will play his final match. Toni Kroos will retire after the tournament, and the man who spent the last decade of his club career in Spain with Real Madrid showed his respect for his opposite number in the quarter-finals."I think he is someone who exudes enthusiasm, who is not prone to making mistakes, even under pressure, which always gives a lot to the team," said Kroos. "On top of that, in the last one or two years, he has also scored goals, important goals."Rodri's strike won City their first-ever Champions League in the 2023 final. Now, he aims to make his major tournament breakthrough and break German hearts along the way.