Real Madrid see 25-year-old Champions League winner as natural heir to Luka Modric – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid are already planning for life after Luka Modric, and according to Real Madrid Confidencial, the club has identified Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha as a strong candidate to step into the Croatian legend’s shoes.

With Modric set to leave after the Club World Cup, Madrid are actively seeking a midfielder who can offer similar technical finesse, intelligence, and leadership.

While Agnelo Stiller is still on their radar, Vitinha, who has just delivered a standout performance in PSG’s 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final, appears to fit the bill perfectly.

The 25-year-old Portuguese international was one of the standout performers on the night. His ability to dictate tempo, glide past challenges, and break lines with precision passes was impossible to ignore.

A perfect replacement?

In fact, former Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves drew a remarkable comparison, stating, “Vitinha plays like Luka Modric. He’s impossible to play against.”

He further praised the midfielder’s intelligence and elegance on the ball, adding, “He’s very reminiscent of Modric himself. There’s no higher praise than that.”

Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Vitinha. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images for Qatar Airways)

That comparison and performance have not gone unnoticed at Real Madrid. It is said that their scouting department has already compiled detailed reports on Vitinha.

The club values his touch, vision, and tactical maturity, as these qualities are essential for anchoring the midfield under Xabi Alonso.

PSG will pose a problem

As expected, PSG are understandably reluctant to sell one of their top performers, especially after their maiden Champions League triumph, but Madrid have shown time and again that no target is truly out of reach.

The Trent Alexander-Arnold saga is a recent and perfect example. What once seemed impossible turned into reality, and the same strategy could now apply to Vitinha.

Vitinha is under contract with PSG until 2027, which gives the French club strong negotiating power.

But with Madrid’s track record of persistence and the midfielder’s possible interest in becoming a central figure at one of the world’s most iconic clubs, this is a situation to monitor closely.