Luka Modric Breaks Another Record with Real Madrid
Luka Modric made history at the Allianz Arena in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals against Bayern Munich, becoming the oldest player to feature in a Champions League match for Real Madrid at the age of 38 years and 234 days, surpassing Ferenc Puskás' record.
Puskás' record, set at 38 years and 229 days, dated back to November 17, 1965, in a European Cup match between Real Madrid and Kilmarnock. Modric surpassed this in his 528th appearance for the Madrid side, the 118th in the Champions League.
The Croatian midfielder, who came on at the 76th minute for Jude Bellingham, also surpassed Roberto Carlos' 527 appearances in the historical ranking of players with the most matches for Real Madrid, becoming the fourteenth player with the most appearances; fifth in the Champions League behind Iker Casillas, Karim Benzema, Raúl González, and Sergio Ramos.
Modric, who turns 39 on September 9, will need to renew his contract, which expires on June 30, for another year to become the oldest player in the history of Real Madrid across all competitions. Puskás set the bar, playing his final three professional matches in the Copa del Rey in May 1966, leaving the record at 39 years and 36 days.
Oldest players to have played in the European Cup for Real Madrid:
- Modric: 38 years and 234 days
- Puskás: 38 years and 229 days
- Buyo: 38 years and 53 days
- Di Stéfano: 37 years and 328 days
- Dudek: 37 years and 260 days
