Luka Modric Injury: Updates on Real Madrid Star's Ankle and Return

Luka Modric faces a halt in momentum after picking up an ankle injury in Real Madrid's derby defeat to Atletico on Feb. 27. He will miss Saturday's match against Celta Vigo but could return in time for Tuesday's Champions League tie against Roma.

Continue for updates.

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Zidane Comments on Modric Recovery

Friday, March 4

"Modric isn't in the list [to return for Saturday's match against Celta]," said Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane, per AS. "He's not ready yet and we need him for Tuesday's game [against Roma]."

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Modric Out vs. Levante

Tuesday, March 1

"The club has confirmed that Modric doesn't have a muscle injury, but has taken a blow to his left ankle and several stitches were required to deal with the cut," reported AS' Manu Sainz, who said the Croatian would miss Wednesday's Primera Division clash with Levante. 

"On Monday he did some light work on the pitch and he spent Tuesday morning in the gym," Sainz added.

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Modric Key to Madrid Success

The Croatian joins key players Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale on the sidelines as Zidane looks to cope with a growing injury crisis.

Modric, 30, started just 16 games for Madrid during the last campaign, scoring a goal, adding three assists and compiling an impressive 7.48 average rating from WhoScored.com.

He was plagued by injury for much of the campaign, however, and Real suffered, watching as rivals Barcelona won the treble. 

Modric is one of the finest deep-lying playmakers in the world, linking together the play from the defensive third to Los Blancos' bevy of talented attackers. He's a complete player who is able to quickly win the ball back for Real Madrid and distribute up the field with his incisive passing.

In his absence, Casemiro could slide back into the starting XI. Modric's playmaking ability and role are fairly unique, however, and Real don't have a natural replacement for his skill set.

In Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Mateo Kovacic and even Isco—who is capable of playing in a deeper role, though he's more effective up the pitch—Los Blancos have options while Modric is once again sidelined.