Luka Modric has described Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho as “frightening” after assessing the strength of the Spanish club following the Portuguese manager’s return.
Mourinho returned to Real Madrid in June, beginning a second spell in charge of the club he previously managed between 2010 and 2013. His comeback has placed the focus on the team’s character and overall power under a coach who has already led the Madrid side during an earlier period of his career.
Modric, now a midfielder for Milan, is particularly familiar with Real Madrid after spending 13 years representing the club. The Croatia international played for the Madrid giants from 2012 until 2025, meaning his time at the Bernabeu overlapped with the final year of Mourinho’s first spell.
The midfielder’s assessment carries added weight because of that experience. Modric joined Real Madrid in 2012, while Mourinho was still in charge, and remained part of the club’s story long after the manager’s initial tenure ended. His comments therefore come from a player who knows both the demands surrounding the team and the scale of the club’s reputation.
Mourinho’s first spell at Real Madrid ran from 2010 to 2013. He is now back at the “royal” club, where his return has revived memories of his previous time in charge. Modric’s description of the current team presents it as a side capable of making a powerful impression under the Portuguese coach.
The comments also underline the connection between Mourinho’s two periods at Real Madrid. Modric was not present at the club for the whole of the manager’s first spell, but he became one of the team’s long-serving midfielders after arriving in 2012. He then stayed until 2025 before moving to Milan.
For now, the central message from Modric is his view of the team’s strength rather than any detailed explanation of its style or results. He has offered a concise verdict on the impression made by Real Madrid with Mourinho back in charge: the team looks frightening.
The Portuguese coach’s return in June and Modric’s departure in 2025 provide the key context to the midfielder’s remarks. Mourinho has resumed responsibility at Real Madrid, while Modric is assessing the club from outside after more than a decade representing it.
Their careers at the club overlapped during the final part of Mourinho’s previous tenure, and Modric’s latest comments reflect that shared history. The former Real Madrid midfielder has now given his view on the strength of the team as the club begins another chapter with Mourinho at the helm.