"Everyone who loves football has enormous respect for him" - Former Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger waxes lyrical about Real Madrid star

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger heaped praise on Real Madrid midfield maestro Luka Modric upon his visit to the FIFA museum. Wenger saw pictures of himself and some other players in the museum. As the French manager spoke about some of the players whose pictures he saw, he was positive in his comments about Modric, saying that every football lover has huge respect for him.

While Arsene Wenger was still in charge of Arsenal, he was reportedly interested in Luka Modric when the latter was still at Dinamo Zagreb at the time. But he didn’t make a move for the Croatia international because he considered him unfit for the Premier League. Modric eventually joined rivals Tottenham Hotspur before moving to Real Madrid, where he currently plies his trade.

Wenger retired as a manager in 2018 and now serves as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development. During his visit to the museum of the football governing body, he spoke highly about Luka Modric. He said (via Marca):

“Seeing his statement here, he said that becoming a footballer was a dream. But sometimes, waiting a little longer, like he had to do, strengthens your motivation and your passion. When it doesn’t come so soon, you have to wait for it… It’s always a pleasure to watch him play, and everyone who loves football has enormous respect for him.”

In 2018, after Modric won the Ballon d’Or at Real Madrid, he revealed that he took Arsene Wenger’s rejection as a source of motivation.

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Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in Real Madrid superstar – Reports

Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly keeping tabs on Real Madrid forward Rodrygo. Rodrygo, who joined Los Blancos from Santos in 2019, seems to have fallen down the pecking order following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain in the 2024 summer transfer window.

While Rodrygo’s contract with Real Madrid will expire in 2028, he could be available for sale in 2025. He was linked with a move to the Premier League in the recent transfer window but chose to fight for his place.

According to Fichajes, a host of Premier League clubs are interested in Rodrygo, with Liverpool and Arsenal leading the race. If a good offer is made for the Brazilian, Real Madrid will not hesitate to part ways with him.

Considering Rodrygo’s footballing abilities, the Premier League is his likely destination. Arsenal and Liverpool see him as an opportunity to bolster their attack, as his experience and quality could prove invaluable in top-level competitions.