Jude Bellingham reckons Luka Modric is ‘from a different planet’ after the39-year-old scored a stunning goal for Real Madrid on Sunday.
The veteran midfielder opened the scoring for his team in a 2-0 win over Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga.
Modric turns 40 in September but he is still operating at the elite level, starting the game on Sunday alongside Aurelian Tchouameni in midfield.
The former Spurs star has already made 24 La Liga appearances and another 10 in the Champions League this season as his epic career keeps going on and on.
Bellingham who is 18 years younger than his teammate can scarcely believe the quality the Croatian still displays at his age.
After Modric’s stunning hit against Girona, Bellingham posted a clip of his teammate celebrating on Instagram and wrote: ‘From a different planet @lukamodric10 👽.’
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti joined in the praise for the veteran midfielder, comparing the ‘gift to football’ to AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini.
‘Modric is a gift for football,’ Ancelotti told a post-match news conference. ‘He should keep going for as long as he wants to. Whatever he does, he does well.
‘Football, and we at Real Madrid, have been lucky to have him as a legend. He has been a gift, with his quality and his professionalism.
‘I have an example of another player, Maldini, you can compare both of them. They’re fantastic role models. It isn’t a coincidence that they reached 40. Genes are a factor, but above all professionalism, seriousness, attitude.’
Modric’s goal helped Real Madrid keep pace with Barcelona at the top of La Liga, with the two giants level on points and Barca ahead on goal difference.
It is set to be a dramatic title race with Atletico Madrid just one point behind the leaders.
On his goal, Modric told Real Madrid TV: ‘I don’t know if it’s one of my most spectacular, but it was nice.
‘It’s always special to score at the Bernabeu … The recent games show we’re in a good moment. We have to keep going. I think we can still grow as a team.’
Modric signed a new contract with Real Madrid at the end of last season which runs until the end of the current campaign.
He is reportedly planning on signing another 12-month extension with the club and hopes to lead his country at the 2026 World Cup.
Since joining from Spurs in 2012 the legendary midfielder has made 574 appearances for Real Madrid, winning six Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles.