"Florentino, renew Modric for all of us who love football"

Luka Modric is one of the most important players of the last decade at Real Madrid. The years do not pass in vain and the Croatian has less and less prominence, but that does not mean he is no longer important in the dressing room. One person who knows him well from his time with the national team is Ivan Rakitic.

The former Barcelona and Sevilla player is now in Spain with Hadjuk Split. Marca' took advantage of this to speak to the Croatian, who asked Florentino Perez for a favour.

"I love to see young players, but I am one of those who believe that the old school is important. That's why I congratulate Florentino and Madrid for keeping up the pace with Luka Modric and until recently with Toni Kroos. The youngsters are very good, but it's those of us who are a little bit older who have the upper hand. It's not the same, with all due respect, to face Modric as it is to face a player who is just starting out," said Rakitic.

The Croatian already knew as he spoke that he was going to give a headline: "Hopefully Florentino Perez will listen to me very carefully... Florentino, renew him already! Renew him not only for the madridistas, but for all of us who love football. Luka is one of the few who's loved by everyone, the Croats, the Spaniards, the Germans, the Turks..."

"[If he leaves] Real Madrid will miss him, La Liga will miss him. He has to keep playing in the Champions League and I hope he'll play the World Cup next year. The age doesn't matter. I hope we will continue to enjoy him."