Despite Real Madrid Legend Brutally Rejecting Cristiano Ronaldo’s $500 Million Pathway, Portugal Icon Calls Al Nassr Star ‘The Best’

Published 09/17/2023, 10:28 AM EDT

Real Madrid has their share of history and legendary players, and Cristiano Ronaldo is certainly one of Los Blancos’ greatest. In a recent interview, however, a Real Madrid and Portuguese soccer legend has stated his two ‘best’ players to have played for Madrid in the modern age. One of them was obviously Cristiano Ronaldo and the other one is, interestingly, his former teammate who refused to follow the exodus initiated by his $500 million transfer to Saudi Arabia.

Talking about these two legends, this Real Madrid Galactico and former Portugal captain had words of praise. He played for Portugal between 1991 and 2006. At club level, he played for Real between 2000 and 2005, scoring 58 goals and contributing 93 assists. Let’s dive deeper.

A Portugal and Real Madrid legend rates Cristiano Ronaldo and his former teammate ‘the best’!

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The person in the limelight is none other than Luis Figo. In a recent interview, Figo was quick to suggest that Cristiano Ronaldo and another former Real Madrid teammate are the two ‘best’ players of this generation after the fabled Galacticos era. Figo lauded him not only as a professional but as a person too. While making a mention of the current top-scorer of Portugal, the former Real Madrid legend made a surprise but not-unexpected mention of Luka Modric.

As per a report in Index HR, Luis Figo said, “Luka Modrić is a good friend. I have only words of praise for him, not only as a professional but also as a person. It’s amazing what he does at his age and the talent he constantly shows. I’m satisfied, he’s happy because he’s doing what he loves and I hope that he will continue like this. In their positions, Luka Modrić and Cristiano Ronaldo are the best in the world. They wrote history and are still writing it, and that is the most important thing.”

Luka Modric is still playing for Real at the age of 38. He often dons the armband for the Madrid giants as well. It’s rather apparent that current Real Madrid boss Ancelotti rates Modric highly. The Croatian midfielder has been ever-present for the club; further justifying Figo’s comments. In a way, both Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric have reinvented themselves on the pitch. They have also thrashed the stereotypes surrounding soccer players’ retirement age.

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Ronaldo and Luka Modric are still key players in their late thirties!

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Arguably, the pair of Ronnie and the Wizard have set a new standard and raised the bar of soccer players’ usual retirement age. They seem to have turned back the clock and continue to put in consistent performances despite being 38. Cristiano Ronaldo is doing it for Al Nassr and Luka Modric is still at it for Real Madrid.

Modric earlier rejected transfer rumors surrounding a move to Saudi Arabia to join Cristiano Ronaldo. However, he is well on his way to setting a record for Real Madrid when it comes to his playing age. Only 3 players in the history of Real Madrid have played for the club at the age of 38. Francisco Buyo appeared at that age for Real in 1996 and Jerzey Dudek played for Real at 38 in 2011.

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The legendary and iconic forward Ferenc Puskas remains Real’s oldest player. He set the record in November 1965. Puskas played his final match for Los Blancos at the age of 38 years and 234 days. Now, come the end of this season, Modric could surpass Puskas’ long-standing record. Modric has been a constant presence for Real Madrid since he signed from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2012. Now as it stands, Modric could break Puskas’ 58-year-old record, which will surely be a surreal achievement for the legendary Croatian midfielder.

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Written by:

With extensive knowledge & over 8+ years of experience as a soccer journalist, Gaurav knows the intricacies of the beautiful game inside out and is now working with EssentiallySports. He played as a No.10 on the pitch during his younger years, modeling his game around his idol Zinedine Zidane.

Edited by:

Jayant Chhabra

Despite Real Madrid Legend Brutally Rejecting Cristiano Ronaldo’s $500 Million Pathway, Portugal Icon Calls Al Nassr Star ‘The Best’

A Portugal and Real Madrid legend rates Cristiano Ronaldo and his former teammate ‘the best’!

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Ronaldo and Luka Modric are still key players in their late thirties!