Luka Modric suffers thigh injury ahead of Champions League semis

Real Madrid are set to be without midfielder Luka Modric for the next few games after the player was confirmed injured by the club earlier on Friday.

Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Modric picked up a “small injury” during Madrid’s midweek 4-2 loss at Girona in La Liga that left them 11 points behind leader Barcelona.

The 37-year-old seems to have picked up an injury to the left thigh that could possibly see him miss the 2023 Copa del Rey final and the club’s Champions League semifinal against Manchester City.

According to the club, the Croatia international “had an injury to the back of his left thigh” without giving an estimate for how long he will need to recover.

Ancelotti believes his key playmaker will be unable to play in the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna on May 6 in Seville. Three days later, the opening leg of the Champions League semifinal vs City takes place.

“This is soccer and these things happen,” Ancelotti said. “We hope to have him back for the games left, which are important.”

Modric has been an instrumental figure in Madrid’s team for the past four seasons and has played a major role in their success.

With the news, Modric will miss the weekend’s game against Almeria while also missing the clash against Real Sociedad with the Copa del Rey final  and the Champions League game next to follow.