Luca Modric he went into this year having started just 22 games. We shouldn't have been worried if anything Modric's talents remain as strong as ever, with his chances created dropping from 1.9 to a still respectable 1.6 this year.
But all his other passing numbers shooting up with two passes into the box and seven progressive passes per game, good for 33rd and 23rd in Europe. He's also making more defensive actions than ever before.
That's 3.2 per 90 and has even retained his mobility with 1.9 dribbles a game, better than two of the last three years. At a success rate of 72 percent his highest in Madrid history. This is hardly a vintage madrid side but Modric is a vintage player gaining complexity with age. If this is his last Herat the Bernabeu is worthy of a distinguished career.