Luka Modric says it's strange that he hasn't played much for Real Madrid this season, as he has only started for Los Blancos since the start of La Liga.

The Croatian, who joined his country in FIFA Week, apparently suffered a footballing shock in Madrid after going from being a regular regular to being a bench.

At the age of 37, it seems that Real Madrid may be preparing for life without the Croatian midfielder, especially after the exceptional brilliance of Englishman Jude Bellingham, who scored 5 goals in 4 games.

Modric, whose contract expires in 2024, said he was aware that "we have a lot of competition in midfield, that these young people are great players, that's why they are in Madrid."

"We, the older players, have to help them progress and gradually take over. I'm going to make sure I'm one of the key players this season."

Despite knowing his role as a veteran and expert in the Real Madrid camp, he does not want to become a marginal player, and would not have extended his contract with the club for an additional season if he was not sure of his ability to compete for a place in the squad.

"They asked me to stay and I had the same desire. My only condition for staying is that they treat me like a competitive player, and that they won't keep me in the team because of what I've done in the past. I was told nothing would change in my situation, which is why I agreed to the extension."

"Nobody feels happy when they don't play. After such a long career in the stadiums, this feeling is especially strange to me. But, well, the coach decided not to involve me for his own reasons. I won't be discouraged by that."

33 matches

Modric made 33 LaLiga appearances last season, as well as 10 Champions League appearances. It has been a tough season for the club, who lost the LaLiga title to Barcelona and were knocked out by Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate in the Champions League semi-finals.

The Croatia captain has hinted at leaving the Bernabéu with a young midfield leading the team, Modric's future as a starter is uncertain and he admits he may need to find a new challenge elsewhere as the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner nears the end.

"We'll see how things develop. If in the future it turns out that I am no longer important, I will think about what to do. I received other offers, but my goal was always Real Madrid".