Real Madrid veteran names Barcelona legend as his toughest opponent: “He was so good”

Speaking in an interview with BT Sport, Real Madrid veteran Luka Modric has named Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta as the toughest opponent he has ever faced.

Modric has been with Real Madrid since 2012, when he arrived from Tottenham Hotspur. During his career, the 37-year-old midfielder has come across and faced some of the greatest players in the game.

However, as per the Croatian international, who won the Ballon d’Or award in 2018, Iniesta was the toughest opponent he has ever faced.

“Andres Iniesta. He was so good on the ball, it was difficult to defend against him. I played against many greats in England like Lampard and Gerrard, but Iniesta was different,” Modric said.

One of the greatest-ever midfielders Iniesta is a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth setup. He was an integral part of the golden generation of the team alongside the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Carles Puyol, and Gerard Pique among several others.

Iniesta went on to make 674 appearances for Barcelona, in which he registered 57 goals and 137 assists.

The 38-year-old Barça icon is also an admirer of Modric and has spoken highly of the Real Madrid superstar in the past.

“We are players with different profiles but at the same time similar in terms of position on the field, conception of the game, handling the ball,” he had said in an interview in November 2022.

“He is one of the best midfielders there is and will ever be. He is a reference for his team and it is not easy to spend so many years at a club like Madrid making a difference.”

Having left Barcelona in 2018, Iniesta has been playing for Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe, where his contract runs until 2024. The legendary midfielder has talked about a possible return to Camp Nou in the future, although it remains to be seen when that might materialise.