Carlo Ancelotti described Luka Modric as a "gift to football" following his spectacular goal in Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Modric, Ballon d'Or winner in 2018, scored Madrid's opener, controlling a looping clearance from a corner with his chest before unleashing a sublime long-range volley that arrowed into the top corner in the 41st minute.
The 39-year-old, who has lifted 28 trophies since he joined the Spanish giants in 2012, will be out of contract at the end of the season.
In his press conference after the match, Ancelotti said Modric should be allowed to leave the club on his own terms and compared the midfielder's longevity to one of his former players – AC Milan and Italy great Paolo Maldini.
"Modric is a gift to football. He should stay as long as he wants to. What he does he does very well. We have been lucky to have a legend with us," Ancelotti told reporters.
"Football has been given a gift by his seriousness, quality and professionalism.
"I had another 40-year-old player, who was Maldini. The two can be compared in what a footballer has to be. They are fantastic examples. It's not by chance that they have reached 40. Genetics matter, but also commitment, attitude."
Madrid's win moved them up to 54 points after 25 games and snapped a three-game winless run.
Ancelotti's side are level with Barcelona at the top of LaLiga but trail on the head-to-head count. Atletico Madrid are third with 53 points.
The Italian manager said he was pleased with his team's performance against Girona, despite it falling short of the level they displayed in a 3-1 win over Manchester City in the Champions League knockout phase playoffs on Wednesday.
"It often happens that when you control a game well and you don't score more than 1-0, you can get a draw," he added.
"They had the chance to equalise on a counter attack, after a corner. The second goal killed the game. It could have been done earlier, but the team played well.
"It wasn't easy to repeat the commitment of Wednesday's game, but with this schedule, I liked the attitude. Even if it wasn't at the level of the match against City."
Real next face Real Sociedad in the first leg of a Copa del Rey semi-final tie on Wednesday, before travelling to Real Betis for a league clash on March 1.
Anuolu190
0
one Nigerian boy with gross indiscipline. you are embarrassment to the good majority
But you’re the břåinleşs guy I will ever see with lowself estêẽms who still have gut to reply back when you can’t justify I’m wrong , but have nothing to say than to talk bad lol 😂
Gwinghltd
0
So you can still reply , youre the dumbest person alive , is Bayern a small team ? Still we have more wins , after saying this , how do you feel ? Stop disgracing your parents around, because people will think it’s heritage
one Nigerian boy with gross indiscipline. you are embarrassment to the good majority
Anuolu190
0
I was told you have just been discharged from psychiatric hospital. don't forget to take your medications and be prompt on review date least you relapse. regards.
Omoh you can’t justify they are wrong and your still talking about something else, your m*ther must be in pain to see you like this , illiteracy is a disease
Gwinghltd
0
Your the dumbest person alive 😄
but Madrid fans you know the current Barcelona is better. Munich is a name that piste shivers through spine. we ain't in great form in recent years but we still command fear.
Gwinghltd
0
So you can still reply , youre the dumbest person alive , is Bayern a small team ? Still we have more wins , after saying this , how do you feel ? Stop disgracing your parents around, because people will think it’s heritage
I was told you have just been discharged from psychiatric hospital. don't forget to take your medications and be prompt on review date least you relapse. regards.
SRM7
1
hala Madrid
Anuolu190
0
check statistics. Madrid have only two more wins over Bayern. 13 against 11. with 4 draws. this is not laughable. you see you know nothing in your square head?
So you can still reply , youre the dumbest person alive , is Bayern a small team ? Still we have more wins , after saying this , how do you feel ? Stop disgracing your parents around, because people will think it’s heritage
loopholes
0
Comparing to Maldini is the greatest achievement for Luka Modric. Simply fantastic goal by Lukita the magician
Imhereforyou
4
when they meet small laliga teams then they are gifts to football. when they meet Barcelona then it's like you have sell them or give them out on loan.
Your the dumbest person alive 😄
mauaciosty
4
when they meet small laliga teams then they are gifts to football. when they meet Barcelona then it's like you have sell them or give them out on loan.
which team eliminated your team from champion league last season,2018and 2014.😄😄😄
Faocdmoty
4
when they meet small laliga teams then they are gifts to football. when they meet Barcelona then it's like you have sell them or give them out on loan.
Bro both you and Barcelona are under our fit real Madrid we beat both small and big teams
karimlucy
5
when they meet small laliga teams then they are gifts to football. when they meet Barcelona then it's like you have sell them or give them out on loan.
we're not ur mate in any aspect so keep ur that ur dirty mouth shut 🤡
karimlucy
0
You will not see does call stupid barcadogs here comment on good things. but when it comes to CR7 they will gather here and be barking
Yacabmoz
1
nice
kidadksy
1
hello
Imhereforyou
1
check statistics. Madrid have only two more wins over Bayern. 13 against 11. with 4 draws. this is not laughable. you see you know nothing in your square head?
And Real Madrid also have more wins and more goals than Barcelona. So you see that you’re just dumb, right?
Imhereforyou
2
The greatest midfielder together with zidane
Imhereforyou
2
when they meet small laliga teams then they are gifts to football. when they meet Barcelona then it's like you have sell them or give them out on loan.
Real Madrid have been beaten Barcelona for the past 5 seasons now. We even beat them 5 times in a row last two seasons and 3x in a row last season. So what’s your point kid?
Gwinghltd
0
What about when they meet Bayern?[Crylaugh]
check statistics. Madrid have only two more wins over Bayern. 13 against 11. with 4 draws. this is not laughable. you see you know nothing in your square head?
/MADRIDISTA
2
when they meet small laliga teams then they are gifts to football. when they meet Barcelona then it's like you have sell them or give them out on loan.
We’ve beaten them 3x in a row before they managed to beat us this season
Dodbclntuz
3
this is true. just remember how he play 2018 world cup. have carry national team on shoulders.
/MADRIDISTA
2
when they meet small laliga teams then they are gifts to football. when they meet Barcelona then it's like you have sell them or give them out on loan.
What about when they meet Bayern?[Crylaugh]
/MADRIDISTA
2
The altimate legend
Gwinghltd
1
when they meet small laliga teams then they are gifts to football. when they meet Barcelona then it's like you have sell them or give them out on loan.