Real Madrid icon shares unforgettable Champions League story involving Luka Modric | OneFootball

Casemiro, the former Real Madrid midfielder who helped the club secure five UEFA Champions League titles, recently shared a memorable story about his time at the club, particularly with Luka Modric.

The two midfielders were key figures in Real Madrid’s dominance in European football. After their victorious UEFA Champions League final against Atletico Madrid in Milan in 2016, Casemiro recalled an inspiring conversation that Modric had with the team in the dressing room.

Modric, always the visionary, told his teammates that they needed to win two more Champions League titles, pushing them to make history. Casemiro explained that their initial response was to remind him that they had just won back-to-back titles since the triumph in Lisbon.

“I’m going to tell you something I never said in any interview: After the UCL final in Milan vs Atlético Madrid, we were celebrating in the dressing room, and Luka Modric came up to us and said: ‘Friends, we have to win two more UCL’s now,’ he told AS.

But Modric wasn’t satisfied with just two. He believed that with the team they had, they were capable of more—specifically winning two more Champions Leagues in a row.

“‘Come on Luka, we’ve won two almost in a row since Lisbon.’ He replied: ‘No, no.

“With this great team we have, we have to take advantage and make history by winning at least two more in a row.” We then won the 12th in Cardiff & the 13th in Kyiv. In a row. Luka knew,” added Casemiro.

And as fate would have it, Real Madrid went on to win the 12th and 13th Champions League titles, one after the other. It was clear that Modric’s belief in the team was justified.

Looking back at the legendary team

Casemiro won five Champions League with Real Madrid. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Reflecting on what makes Real Madrid so special in the Champions League, Casemiro shared a profound insight. He said that the core of the team, built on the values instilled by the club, is what prepares players to succeed at the highest level.

Casemiro mentioned that when he arrived at Madrid, he was joining a group of legendary players.

“The key is that Madrid prepares the players. Madrid always has a backbone of the values ​​that they instil in you. When I arrived, Cristiano, Sergio Ramos, and Casillas… were already there.”

Over time, players like Modric, Toni Kroos, and others came in, forming a new backbone for the team. Casemiro also highlighted the importance of the club’s president, who plays a key role in transmitting these values to the players.

“Then Casemiro, Modric, Toni came along. And then Vini, Fede Valverde, Rodrygo… The backbone and the values ​​of the club are already there,” he noted.

Three UCLs in a row

Casemiro formed a legendary partnership with Modric and Kroos. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

When asked about the team’s success, Casemiro fondly remembered the remarkable squad he was part of during their three consecutive Champions League wins.

With players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, and Karim Benzema—who later went on to win the Ballon d’Or—it was a team full of experienced, respected individuals.

The team’s ability to dominate their rivals and make history was rooted in their collective strength and unity.

“What a great team we had. Cristiano, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Varane, Carvajal, Toni, Luka, and Karim. It was a team of men who commanded a lot of respect from their rivals. That’s why we wrote history,” he remembered.