Manager Zinedine Zidane watches the final La Liga match of the season at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, in which Real Madrid beat Villarreal 2-1. EPA
Manager Zinedine Zidane watches the final La Liga match of the season at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, in which Real Madrid beat Villarreal 2-1. EPA
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric under pressure from Villarreal's Manu Trigueros. AP
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric under pressure from Villarreal's Manu Trigueros. AP
Luka Modric scores Real's second goal in their 2-1 win over Villarreal.
Luka Modric scores Real's second goal in their 2-1 win over Villarreal.
Karim Benzema, right, scores for Real to make it 1-1. EPA
Karim Benzema, right, scores for Real to make it 1-1. EPA
Real's Luka Modric and Daniel Parejo of Villarreal challenge for a header. AFP
Real's Luka Modric and Daniel Parejo of Villarreal challenge for a header. AFP
Luka Modric celebrates scoring Real Madrid's injury-time winner. EPA
Luka Modric celebrates scoring Real Madrid's injury-time winner. EPA
Karim Benzema scores for Real Madrid but the goal is ruled out by VAR. Getty
Karim Benzema scores for Real Madrid but the goal is ruled out by VAR. Getty
Real Madrid's Luka Modric during the game.
Real Madrid's Luka Modric during the game.
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema kisses the ball after scoring before the goal was disallowed. AFP
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema kisses the ball after scoring before the goal was disallowed. AFP
Dejected Real players after the match following the news that Atletico Madrid had won the La Liga title. EPA
Dejected Real players after the match following the news that Atletico Madrid had won the La Liga title. EPA
Real Madrid's Marcelo after the match. AP
Real Madrid's Marcelo after the match. AP
Dejected Real players after the match. AFP
Dejected Real players after the match. AFP

Football

Luka Modric signs new one-year deal at Real Madrid

Croatian midfielder has been with the Spanish club since 2012

The National

May 25, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Veteran midfielder Luka Modric has signed a new one-year deal to remain at Real Madrid.

The Croatian, 35, will stay with the Spanish giants until the summer of 2022, completing a decade of service for Los Blancos.

Modric was set to become a free agent at the end of June but has now agreed on new terms at Real, who have just finished second in La Liga behind city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Read More

Zinedine Zidane, Ronald Koeman and Andrea Pirlo step on to managerial merry-go-round

He moved to the Bernabeu from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for £30 million in 2012 and has now made nearly 400 appearances in all competitions, scoring 28 goals.

During his ime in Spain, Modric has won four Champions League, two La Ligas, one Copa del Rey and three Fifa Club World Cups.

While Modic's future is now secured, it remains to be seen whether manager Zinedine Zidane will still be in charge at the start of next season.

Reports that Zidane, who failed to win a trophy this season, had already told Real players that he would be leaving were shot down by the Frenchman.

"How am I going to tell my players that I am going now? It's a lie," he said after Real's 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on May 16.

"I focus on this season. There is a game left and we are going to give everything. I only care what happens in this finale. The rest, we will see at the end of the season."

Real 2 Villarreal 1: player ratings

Thibaut Courtois 6 - The Belgian was largely a spectator in the second half as Madrid pinned Villarreal back in their half. Reuters
Thibaut Courtois 6 - The Belgian was largely a spectator in the second half as Madrid pinned Villarreal back in their half. Reuters
Alvaro Odriozola 6 - The 25-year-old was closest to Pino’s opener but there was not much he could have done against a delicate touch that opened up space for the shot. Runs up the right helped stretch the play but the full-back didn’t threaten with his delivery. Reuters
Alvaro Odriozola 6 - The 25-year-old was closest to Pino’s opener but there was not much he could have done against a delicate touch that opened up space for the shot. Runs up the right helped stretch the play but the full-back didn’t threaten with his delivery. Reuters
Eder Militao 5 - A poor clearance gave Villarreal a second bite and the Yellow Submarine made no mistake with Pino capitalising. A costly mistake on the final day of the season despite Madrid eventually coming back to claim all three points. EPA
Eder Militao 5 - A poor clearance gave Villarreal a second bite and the Yellow Submarine made no mistake with Pino capitalising. A costly mistake on the final day of the season despite Madrid eventually coming back to claim all three points. EPA
Raphael Varane 5 - Zinedine Zidane’s side were lucky not to be three down at half-time and Varane, as the more experienced defender, has to do more to organise the defence. Carlos Bacca was given too much space in the box but couldn’t take advantage of careless Madrid marking. AFP
Raphael Varane 5 - Zinedine Zidane’s side were lucky not to be three down at half-time and Varane, as the more experienced defender, has to do more to organise the defence. Carlos Bacca was given too much space in the box but couldn’t take advantage of careless Madrid marking. AFP
Miguel Gutierrez 7 - An alert performance saw the 19-year-old full-back deal well with attacks down Madrid’s left flank. The youngest player on the Madrid backline looked the most experienced defender on the day. AFP
Miguel Gutierrez 7 - An alert performance saw the 19-year-old full-back deal well with attacks down Madrid’s left flank. The youngest player on the Madrid backline looked the most experienced defender on the day. AFP
Federico Valverde 6 - Kept things ticking in the middle of the park but quiet overall from the highly-rated Uruguayan. AFP
Federico Valverde 6 - Kept things ticking in the middle of the park but quiet overall from the highly-rated Uruguayan. AFP
Casemiro 7 - Defensively astute as usual and could have scored in the first half when heading into the hands of Geronimo Rulli. A precise pass in the second looked to have found Benzema’s head for the equaliser until VAR ruled out a very tight call. AFP
Casemiro 7 - Defensively astute as usual and could have scored in the first half when heading into the hands of Geronimo Rulli. A precise pass in the second looked to have found Benzema’s head for the equaliser until VAR ruled out a very tight call. AFP
Luka Modric 8 - Direct runs at defenders and progressive moves saw the Croatian at the heart of all of Real Madrid’s best attacks and a goal capped off a strong performance in the middle of the park. EPA
Luka Modric 8 - Direct runs at defenders and progressive moves saw the Croatian at the heart of all of Real Madrid’s best attacks and a goal capped off a strong performance in the middle of the park. EPA
Marco Asensio 5 - His game could only get better after a non-existent first-half but Zidane didn’t allow the winger to make up for it, replacing him in the 56th minute with Rodrygo. AFP
Marco Asensio 5 - His game could only get better after a non-existent first-half but Zidane didn’t allow the winger to make up for it, replacing him in the 56th minute with Rodrygo. AFP
Karim Benzema 8 - Looked to have levelled the scoring after a quiet first half and could have been ruled to be offside by a single millimeter. The Madrid veteran did his best to get the title over the line with an expert finish and assist for Luka Modric late-on but it wasn’t enough. AFP
Karim Benzema 8 - Looked to have levelled the scoring after a quiet first half and could have been ruled to be offside by a single millimeter. The Madrid veteran did his best to get the title over the line with an expert finish and assist for Luka Modric late-on but it wasn’t enough. AFP
Vinicius Junior 6 - Couldn’t get going before being replaced for Rodrygo in the 56th minute. Ineffective. EPA
Vinicius Junior 6 - Couldn’t get going before being replaced for Rodrygo in the 56th minute. Ineffective. EPA
SUB: Rodrygo (Vinicius Jr, 56) 8 - Madrid looked much more threatening as the Brazilian provided an instant spark. A strong press almost led to a goal after forcing Geronimo Rulli to scuff the ball away into the path of Benzema before Rodrygo found the Frenchman in the box with a pass for the leveller. AFP
SUB: Rodrygo (Vinicius Jr, 56) 8 - Madrid looked much more threatening as the Brazilian provided an instant spark. A strong press almost led to a goal after forcing Geronimo Rulli to scuff the ball away into the path of Benzema before Rodrygo found the Frenchman in the box with a pass for the leveller. AFP
SUB: Isco (Marco Asensio, 56) 6 - Provided some good delivery from set pieces and linked play but the attacker never looked a threat. EPA
SUB: Isco (Marco Asensio, 56) 6 - Provided some good delivery from set pieces and linked play but the attacker never looked a threat. EPA
SUB: Marcelo (Odriozola, 68) 6 - A more attacking option helped Madrid advance up the left flank with a change to 3-5-2 but the Brazilian couldn’t crack the code against Unai Emery’s stubborn yellow wall. EPA
SUB: Marcelo (Odriozola, 68) 6 - A more attacking option helped Madrid advance up the left flank with a change to 3-5-2 but the Brazilian couldn’t crack the code against Unai Emery’s stubborn yellow wall. EPA
SUB: Mariano Diaz (Casemiro, 68) 6 - Worked hard when introduced but couldn’t get the better of Pau Torres and Raul Albiol. Could have released the ball earlier on the break in the 91st minute but couldn’t make use of the space. AFP
SUB: Mariano Diaz (Casemiro, 68) 6 - Worked hard when introduced but couldn’t get the better of Pau Torres and Raul Albiol. Could have released the ball earlier on the break in the 91st minute but couldn’t make use of the space. AFP
SUB: Nacho (Miguel Gutierrez, 68) 6 - Some could question Nacho’s introduction with Madrid needing two goals but he added presence from set pieces. Couldn’t make an impact on the game with the final stage of the game played in Villarreal’s attacking third. Reuters
SUB: Nacho (Miguel Gutierrez, 68) 6 - Some could question Nacho’s introduction with Madrid needing two goals but he added presence from set pieces. Couldn’t make an impact on the game with the final stage of the game played in Villarreal’s attacking third. Reuters
VILLARREAL RATINGS: Geronimo Rulli 6. The 29-year-old Argentine was beaten by a Benzema header – but the Frenchman was offside. Then made an error where he was closed down and the ball went to Benzema who shot wide. Finally beaten by Benzema after 87 minutes and then by Modric at the death. AFP
VILLARREAL RATINGS: Geronimo Rulli 6. The 29-year-old Argentine was beaten by a Benzema header – but the Frenchman was offside. Then made an error where he was closed down and the ball went to Benzema who shot wide. Finally beaten by Benzema after 87 minutes and then by Modric at the death. AFP
Mario Gaspar 6. Villarreal’s 30-year-old captain and right-back. Won his aerial battles. Dependable as ever. EPA
Mario Gaspar 6. Villarreal’s 30-year-old captain and right-back. Won his aerial battles. Dependable as ever. EPA
Raul Albiol 7. Hugely experienced 35-year-old did well in his 51st club game of the season against his former club. He’ll be playing European football next season – and it could be Champions League if Villarreal beat Manchester United on Wednesday. EPA
Raul Albiol 7. Hugely experienced 35-year-old did well in his 51st club game of the season against his former club. He’ll be playing European football next season – and it could be Champions League if Villarreal beat Manchester United on Wednesday. EPA
Pau Torres 7. The local hero. Played accurate balls forward towards Moreno and finished an excellent league season in the centre of defence. He has many suitors for his €65 million buyout clause, including United, who he’ll play against on Wednesday. Stepped out to rule Benzema offside for what he thought was a goal, but then deflected Modric’s winner past his own goalkeeper. AFP
Pau Torres 7. The local hero. Played accurate balls forward towards Moreno and finished an excellent league season in the centre of defence. He has many suitors for his €65 million buyout clause, including United, who he’ll play against on Wednesday. Stepped out to rule Benzema offside for what he thought was a goal, but then deflected Modric’s winner past his own goalkeeper. AFP
Alfonso Pedraza 6. Left-back who spun forward and crossed effectively against a lacklustre Madrid. AFP
Alfonso Pedraza 6. Left-back who spun forward and crossed effectively against a lacklustre Madrid. AFP
Yeremi Pino 7. A product of Villarreal’s excellent youth system The 18-year-old right-sided midfielder stabbed his team ahead after controlling a lovely ball from Moreno. Moved up front to play alongside Moreno when Bacca went off. EPA
Yeremi Pino 7. A product of Villarreal’s excellent youth system The 18-year-old right-sided midfielder stabbed his team ahead after controlling a lovely ball from Moreno. Moved up front to play alongside Moreno when Bacca went off. EPA
Etienne Capoue 6. Took advantage of a mistake by Casemiro and ran forward with the ball before shooting over after 28 minutes. The Frenchman, who played for Spurs and was so impressive for Watford at Old Trafford before his move to Villarreal at the start of this season, was taken off after 66 minutes. Reuters
Etienne Capoue 6. Took advantage of a mistake by Casemiro and ran forward with the ball before shooting over after 28 minutes. The Frenchman, who played for Spurs and was so impressive for Watford at Old Trafford before his move to Villarreal at the start of this season, was taken off after 66 minutes. Reuters
Daniel Parejo 8. Central midfielder playing his 52nd game of the season. He takes the free-kicks and has enjoyed a very good season. Too casual on occasion but almost everything Villarreal did went through him. AFP
Daniel Parejo 8. Central midfielder playing his 52nd game of the season. He takes the free-kicks and has enjoyed a very good season. Too casual on occasion but almost everything Villarreal did went through him. AFP
Manuel Trigueros 7. In his 10th season in the first team at the only club he’s ever played professional football at. His 53rd club game of the season – no Villarreal player has played more. Beaten for pace by Odriozola on the left but was lurking to meet a Pedraza cross after 31 minutes as Madrid had a stumbling start. AFP
Manuel Trigueros 7. In his 10th season in the first team at the only club he’s ever played professional football at. His 53rd club game of the season – no Villarreal player has played more. Beaten for pace by Odriozola on the left but was lurking to meet a Pedraza cross after 31 minutes as Madrid had a stumbling start. AFP
Gerard Moreno 7. Twenty-three league goals makes him the top-scoring Spaniard in La Liga and assisted in six more – including Villarreal’s first. Madrid didn’t pick him up when he dropped off to receive the ball. Kept changing position. At half time, the 29-year-old had been on the ball twice as many times as Karim Benzema. Didn’t score but played well. AFP
Gerard Moreno 7. Twenty-three league goals makes him the top-scoring Spaniard in La Liga and assisted in six more – including Villarreal’s first. Madrid didn’t pick him up when he dropped off to receive the ball. Kept changing position. At half time, the 29-year-old had been on the ball twice as many times as Karim Benzema. Didn’t score but played well. AFP
Carlos Bacca 6. A hat-trick last week for the Colombian when Villarreal beat Sevilla 4-0, but clumsy touches in the first half failed to increase his side’s lead as he failed to steer a cross past Courtois. EPA
Carlos Bacca 6. A hat-trick last week for the Colombian when Villarreal beat Sevilla 4-0, but clumsy touches in the first half failed to increase his side’s lead as he failed to steer a cross past Courtois. EPA
SUB: Ruben Pena 6. The right-back came on for Capoue after 66 and played central midfield. EPA
SUB: Ruben Pena 6. The right-back came on for Capoue after 66 and played central midfield. EPA
SUB: Francis Coquelin 6 .The former Arsenal defensive midfielder came on for Bacca after 66. Like Parejo, his move from Valencia before this season was controversial but the 33-year-old played 31 games to justify it. Reuters
SUB: Francis Coquelin 6 .The former Arsenal defensive midfielder came on for Bacca after 66. Like Parejo, his move from Valencia before this season was controversial but the 33-year-old played 31 games to justify it. Reuters
SUB: Dani Raba - On for Pino after 81. Infrequently used right winger. AFP
SUB: Dani Raba - On for Pino after 81. Infrequently used right winger. AFP
SUB: Paco Alcacer. On for Moreno after 81. Well respected fox-in-the-box who hasn’t been starting in recent weeks. Villarreal’s second top scorer this term with 12 in 37 games in all competitions. AFP
SUB: Paco Alcacer. On for Moreno after 81. Well respected fox-in-the-box who hasn’t been starting in recent weeks. Villarreal’s second top scorer this term with 12 in 37 games in all competitions. AFP
SUB: Gomez - On for Trigueros after 86 as Unai Emery, perhaps with Wednesday in mind, used five subs. EPA
SUB: Gomez - On for Trigueros after 86 as Unai Emery, perhaps with Wednesday in mind, used five subs. EPA

Real won their final game of the season at home to Villarreal on Saturday to finish two points behind champions Atletico in the title race but five clear of arch-rivals Barcelona in third.

France attacker Karim Benzema remains convinced that the man who has led the club to three Champions League wins, two La Ligas, one Uefa Super Cup and two Fifa Club World Cups, is not going anywhere.

"He's been the Real Madrid coach until now, right?" Benzema told L'Equipe. "I don't see him leaving. He won't leave, you'll see.

"If he leaves, he leaves ... but for now I don't see Real Madrid without Zidane.

"He's my coach, but he's like an older brother. He's always supported me, whether I'm doing well or not, and he's helped me to get better every year."

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

(All games 4-3pm kick UAE time) Bayern Munich v Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund v Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg v Mainz , Eintracht Frankfurt v Freiburg, Union Berlin v RB Leipzig, Cologne v Schalke , Werder Bremen v Borussia Monchengladbach, Stuttgart v Arminia Bielefeld

Profile

Company name: Marefa Digital

Based: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre

Number of employees: seven

Sector: e-learning

Funding stage: Pre-seed funding of Dh1.5m in 2017 and an initial seed round of Dh2m in 2019

Investors: Friends and family 

Analysis

Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo 

 Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua

 Based: Dubai, UAE

 Number of employees: 28

 Sector: Financial services

 Investment: $9.5m

 Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. 

 
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
On Women's Day
Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea
Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

Who is Allegra Stratton?

 

  • Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
  • Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
  • In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
  • The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
  • Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
  • She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
  • Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

Directed by: Shaka King

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons

Four stars

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Ipaf in numbers

Established: 2008

Prize money:  $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.

Winning novels: 13

Shortlisted novels: 66

Longlisted novels: 111

Total number of novels submitted: 1,780

Novels translated internationally: 66

Killing of Qassem Suleimani

Ready Player One
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis

Company Profile

Company name: NutriCal

Started: 2019

Founder: Soniya Ashar

Based: Dubai

Industry: Food Technology

Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount

Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia

Total Clients: Over 50

The bio

Who inspires you?

I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist

How do you relax?

Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.

What is favourite book?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times

What is your favourite Arabic film?

Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki

What is favourite English film?

Mamma Mia

Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?

If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.  

 

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
SERIES INFO

Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series

All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Test series

1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March

Play starts at 9.30am

T20 series

1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March

TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube

Recipe: Spirulina Coconut Brothie

Ingredients
1 tbsp Spirulina powder
1 banana
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (full fat preferable)
1 tbsp fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
½ cup vegan broth
2 crushed ice cubes (optional)

Method
Blend all the ingredients together on high in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy. 

Real Madrid