Modric reveals about the bets Madrid players placed over Ronaldo’s stay in the summer

Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric has revealed that the squad was confident over the prospect of Cristiano Ronaldo extending his stay at the club.

Ronaldo, 33, had hinted about embracing the exit door at the Santiago Bernabeu, immediately after Los Blancos clinched their 3^rd Champions League title in a row.

During his nine-year stay in the Spanish capital, the Portuguese talisman was linked with a move back to former club Manchester United on certain occassions. However, he always ended up signing a new and improved contract with Real Madrid.

The Portuguese ace poured cold water on the hopes of his ex-teammates after agreeing to join Italian giants Juventus in a £88.8million deal. He said goodbye to Real Madrid after 9 years, leaving as the club's all-time top-scorer with 450 goals in 438 games.

And, Luka Modric expressed his surprise at not only Ronaldo's departure but also Zinedine Zidane's exit as Los Blancos coach.

Speaking to France Football, he said: “I wasn't expecting either of the two to go. I didn't think Zidane would leave and the same with Ronaldo. In fact, when the rumours about Cristiano appeared, we had bets among ourselves.

“We were certain he would stay, but everyone makes their own decisions.”

When asked about his experience with Zinedine Zidane as the boss, he said: “I was lucky to have him as a coach and we have lived some incredible moments with him at Real Madrid.

“Sometimes he'd play alongside us and it was incredible to see how elegant he was and how he moved over the pitch.”

Luka Modric has already beaten Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to the FIFA Men's Best Player of the Year award. He is also in the race to win the Ballon d'Or and looking the decade-old duopoly at the award gala.

When asked about the award, he added:

“The important thing for me is to be in the field as I have been for months.

“This year 2018 has been without a doubt the best of my career. [But] You are not going to make me say: 'It is I who must win it'.