Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has hinted that “untouchable” Los Blancos midfielder Luka Modric will need to settle for a new role at the club.

Modric arrived in the Spanish capital in 2012 for a £30m fee from Tottenham and the 37-year-old Croatian has been an integral part of the Madrid midfield.

The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner has formed a formidable partnership with Toni Kroos and hoovered up the major silverware during his time in Madrid.

Former Tottenham star Modric has lifted three La Liga titles, five Champions Leagues and a Copa del Rey during a glittering career at Madrid.

But Modric, who is out of contract with Madrid at the end of the season, has struggled with his form and fitness since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The Croatia international has only started seven of Madrid’s 14 matches since the end of the World Cup, with Modric playing the full minutes on only two occasions.

Modric was on the bench in Madrid’s La Liga clash with Elche on Wednesday, but his stunning strike in the 80th minute sealed a 4-0 thumping win at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ancelotti hailed the Madrid star’s impact in the match and hinted that Modric could be better suited for an impact sub role in the future.

“Modric is an untouchable player for me,” he told Spanish newspaper Diario AS.

“But I think that everyone is important to us, I can’t think of putting in eleven equal players each game, I have to rotate, the season is demanding.”

“Right now, he is finding his best level. Kroos scored in Bilbao coming off the bench, Modric did it today.

“From the bench, they can also contribute goals. I don’t know if you will agree 100 per cent with this, but the statistics say that.”

source: sportbible.com