Veteran midfielder Luka Modric and Toni Kroos have long formed a reliable partnership for Madrid for many years now.

The duo have been the rock of Madrid’s midfield, but are now in their 30s.

Modric is 37, while Kroos is 33. The duo have also had a dip in form, which has seen Ceballos get more playing time of late.

Kroos and Modric started the semi-final and final of the Club World Cup, scoring at least four goals in both games to secure the title.

Speaking after the game, Kroos has insisted that the midfield isn’t up to par when he and Modric aren’t playing.

“Kroos and Modric can’t play together? I have no doubt we can still play together,” Toni Kroos told El Chiringuito TV after the Club World Cup final.

“When we don’t play you can see it, it’s another football. Maybe we win, but it’s different.”

“We are aware there are other players who also deserve minutes but we’re still here,” Kroos said with a laugh.