'I thought he had THREE eyes!': Darren Bent praises Luka Modric

Real Madrid's star forward Luka Modric was so good in training during his time at Tottenham that Darren Bent thought his former team-mate had ‘three eyes’.

Modric has been instrumental at Real Madrid since he arrived in 2012 and Bent believes it is the 36-year-old's 'technique' that makes him stand out.

Bent said he instantly recognised Modric was 'levels above everyone else' when he saw the Croatian footballer in action at Spurs and that he knew he would excel.

Bent played alongside Modric during the Croatian international's debut campaign in the English top-flight in 2008-2009.

However, Bent - who is only two years older than Modric - retired from the game in 2018 and pursued a career in radio and TV.

Speaking to The Sun about Modric, Bent said: 'When Luka joined Spurs, the first thing you noticed was his technique.

'I had played against him for England but when you watched him up close, he was a player you knew straight away was levels above everyone.

'He seemed to have three eyes because no matter what you did to try to get the ball off him, you just couldn't get it.

'I know in the Premier League it took him a little while to get going but we always knew, once he did, it was going to be curtains for everyone else.

'From a fitness standpoint, it doesn't surprise me that he's still playing.

'But if you had said to me at 36 he would still be playing at the level he is, I probably would have gone, 'Really?' because that's extremely high.

'For him to be doing it is absolutely incredible.'

Modric has been fundamental to Real Madrid's success this season despite being 36 years old.

Bent has credited Modric's maintenance of his body for his ability to perform so consistently at his age.

The former Aston Villa forward said: 'Luka was always stretching. That's maybe why he's supple and extremely flexible. You can tell from the way he moves with a football.

'He was very professional and used to eat particularly well. He was always in the gym, doing little extras. That's why you're seeing the results.'

Modric will be looking to help Real Madrid win the Champions League on Saturday night when they face Liverpool at the Stade de France.