Zinedine Zidane Discloses the Story Behind Luka Modric Securing the Number 10 Shirt at Real Madrid

• Luka Modric has donned the Real Madrid number 10 shirt since the 2017-18 season
• The Croatian midfielder will go down as one of the club's best players to wear the jersey
• Zinedine Zidane has disclosed the events that led to the Ballon d'Or winner wearing the jersey number

Luka Modric's spell at Real Madrid has witnessed him develop from a La Liga flop into one of the league's most iconic midfielders in history.

The 38-year-old who joined Los Blancos in the summer of 2012 from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, was initially handed the number 19 jersey at the Spanish powerhouse.

Modric would go on to prove many doubters wrong, donning the seemingly weird jersey number up until 2017, when Real Madrid's number 10 James Rodriguez would seek a loan move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

However, Modric's assumption of the coveted number 10 shirt wasn't solely his decision. Former coach Zinedine Zidane recently recounted the story of how the mercurial Croatian midfielder inherited the prestigious jersey.

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Zidane on Modric's number 10 shirt

In an interview with media outlet Gol via Madrid Xtra, the 51-year-old discussed the diminishing significance of the number 10 role and revealed his approach in selecting the player for the iconic jersey.

Zidane stated,

"After taking over Real Madrid, I realized how the '10' became a completely ordinary jersey. However, it must be worn by a special player, a paragon of excellence that everyone looks up to—the player everyone wants to become.

I stood in front of the dressing room and asked the players who they thought should wear it. It will belong to a player who almost never makes a mistake on the pitch and who you look to when the key games get difficult, the one you all look for, the one you all want to pass the ball to. When I finished, everyone was looking at Luka Modric."

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Despite the unconventional manner in which Modric acquired his iconic jersey number, the midfield maestro has gone on to achieve remarkable feats while wearing it.

Modric who is in his last year of his contract, as reported by ESPN, will go down in history as one of the club's finest midfielders ever.

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Lionel Messi heaps praise on Zidane

In a recent tribute, Sports Brief reported that Lionel Messi lauded Zidane's illustrious career, expressing his profound admiration for the legendary French footballer.

Despite not being teammates or sharing the same national affiliation, the two football icons have consistently held each other in high regard over the years.

During a close-knit conversation between the two celebrated figures, Messi openly conveyed his profound appreciation for Zidane, acknowledging him as one of the greatest to have ever graced the sport.