Real Madrid suffer Luka Modric injury blow ahead of Napoli clash
Luka Modric has been ruled out of Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Napoli on Wednesday night.
The Croatian midfielder limped off with some discomfort in his hamstring during their 3-0 win over Cadiz on Sunday.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti was quick to play down the possible severity of the injury, stating: “Modric has an overload in his hamstring, I think that’s all.”
However, the Napoli game will come too soon for the former Ballon d’Or winner, as Real Madrid will be looking to clinch top spot in the group on Wednesday.
Modric joins fellow midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga on the sidelines, both of whom are not due to return until 2024.
However, the 38-year-old’s issue is not believed to be as serious, with Marca reporting that he will be in contention to face Granada at the weekend.
After undergoing medical tests, it has been confirmed that the hamstring issue is not serious, and Modric will return to the side very soon.
Given Modric’s age though, the Real medical staff may advise Ancelotti to hold him back until they travel to Real Betis the weekend after as a precaution.
Real’s injury list has lengthened to such an extent, that Marca claims Ancelotti was forced into calling nine youth players to first-team training ahead of the Napoli clash to conduct a full session.
One relief is that Brahim Diaz has returned after a minor issue saw him end up as an unused substitute in the weekend win over Cadiz, and it could be him who replaced Modric in the side.
Modric set a new club record by featuring at the weekend, playing his 161st match for the club since turning 35 – illustrating his incredible longevity and hunger to keep maintaining such a high level of performance.
After helping his national side to Euro 2024 last week, the Croatian captain will also be one of the oldest players at the finals next summer, as the Vatreni will look to replicate their performances from the past two World Cups, where they ended both as medalists.
