Luka Modric, who is 39 years and 47 days old, made history last week by becoming the oldest player in Real Madrid history to appear in an official game.
What’s the key to his extraordinary longevity? Relevo received some clarification from the midfielder’s personal physiotherapist, Vlatko Vucetic.
Warning: Luka’s regimen does not involve any fabled elixirs or miraculous potions.
Having worked closely with Modric since 2012 and known him since 2010, Vucetic remembered how their journey started with a straightforward chat.
Vučetic remarked, “Luka came up to me and asked if I could help him.”
“Maintaining his fitness, avoiding injuries, and extending his career are our three objectives. He had wanted to play until the age of 36, but it’s obvious that he’s broken that goal.
Together, they developed a demanding training regimen that Modrić follows almost daily, attending approximately 350 sessions annually at the club’s facilities or at home. Before every training session, he must fit in a rigorous 45-minute regimen.
Resistance band exercises, arm and shoulder strength training, lots of rotating motions, and a specific lower body program are all part of his daily routine.
According to Vucetic, maintaining muscle mass is essential because it can rapidly decline after the age of thirty.
“It takes even more work to get back to where you were a year ago,” he says. “You must be committed, and to be honest, I think the prevention measures—particularly the resistance band work—are crucial.”
However, without Modric’s constant dedication—the midfield master seldom takes a vacation, completely persuaded of the advantages of his training—none of this would be possible.
It’s interesting to note that Vucetic says Lukira’s age is just a number. He has a much lower metabolic age, which is a measure of his biological and physical condition.
He says, “His metabolic age is under 30 because he has been focused on prevention all these years.” “My metabolic age is 35, but my chronological age is 50.” Although Luka is 39, his metabolic age is less than 30.
Vučetic lists a number of important elements that contributed to Modrić’s achievement, but he is hesitant to name just one: family, psychology, motor skills, hydration, and hygiene. And self-control, of course.
It takes tremendous mental toughness to be at the top for so long, and Luka Modric has plenty of it.
