Ferenc Puskas, according to his teammate Amancio Amaro, played as if he were pregnant. When he joined Real Madrid in 1958, he was 31 years old, 18kg overweight, and had been banned by FIFA for defecting after the Hungarian uprising, which meant he hadn't played football for two years. He questioned whether he could even step onto the pitch, telling club president Santiago Bernabéu, 'Signing me is fine, but have you seen me?' 'I was the size of a large balloon,' he recalled, and coach Luis Carniglia was equally unsure of how to handle him. Bernabéu's response was simple: that was their problem, not his. As it turned out, Puskas's left foot was unparalleled, and he went on to score 242 goals, the only regret being that he hadn't joined sooner.
Nicknamed Cañoncito pum! (Little Cannon Bang!) by most, Alfredo Di Stéfano called him 'little cannon big belly.' That summer, Puskas trained wrapped in plastic and woolly jumpers. By the end of the season, he had scored the goal that took Real Madrid to the European Cup final; a year later, he scored four in the final but handed the match ball to Erwin Stein. Despite being considered old and finished, he helped Madrid reach three more finals. He scored a hat-trick in 1962 and played in 1964, but when the 1966 final arrived, he was left behind. It was 8 May 1966, and it was Puskas's last game at 39 years and 36 days old.
Fast forward to 1966, and Carlo Ancelotti called over Luka Modric during a match in Vigo. Modric's mission: to take control, as he had done so often. Williot Swedberg had equalized, and Celta Vigo were dominating. But then Modric stepped in, and 153 seconds later, Madrid led again. Vinícius Júnior celebrated, pointing back at Modric and saying, 'What a pass!' This wasn't the end for Madrid, but another match had been reclaimed. 'Celta play, Madrid win,' read AS's headline. Modric's contribution was pivotal, with Kylian Mbappé's opener, Thibaut Courtois's saves, and Vinícius's winner all key moments.
Modric's longevity is remarkable. There have been times when it seemed his career was winding down, but he has consistently defied expectations. In 2018, he negotiated with Inter but was blocked by Madrid, who insisted on his €750m buyout clause. Six years later, at 39, he remains integral. His talent and temperament set him apart, with a determination that has postponed any decline. Transitions were left incomplete, and any withdrawal was put on hold. Modric's determination to fight only strengthened, and he closed the pathway for Martin Ødegaard's return. Even at the last World Cup, he played twice for Croatia, taking his caps to 182.
After Manchester City beat Madrid 4-0 in the 2023 Champions League semi-final, it seemed like the end. But Modric continued, ensuring another win. 'Luka changed the match,' Ancelotti said. 'He came on at a very difficult moment and brought control. He has such quality that he always helps us. We're lucky to have him.'
Source link: https://www.theguardian.com
