Luka Modric believed this Spurs flop would play for Real Madrid

Adel Taarabt gave a surprising interview this week where he revealed that former team-mate Luka Modric believed he would play for Barcelona or Real Madrid.

The playmaker plies his trade for Benfica these days, but was once tipped to have a much different career path.

Taarabt flopped at Spurs after arriving in 2007, making only nine appearances before being shipped out to QPR in 2010.

He clearly always had potential with his impressive trickery and footwork, however, he didn’t appear to have the work rate or determination to make it at the very top level.

The Moroccan told FourFourTwo magazine: “I don’t like to say this about myself, but I think if you talked to everyone who saw me when I was a young talent, many would have said I’d play for Real Madrid or Barcelona one day. Even Luka Modric said that to me once,”

“But it didn’t happen. Not only because of others, but because of me.”

The fact that a Balon D’or winner believed that Taarabt would make it to the top level shows the ability he possessed. It is ironic that it was actually Modric who ended up moving to Real Madrid and delivering on his potential.

Over the last few months, Taarabt has been rebuilding his career in Portugal. This comes after a disastrous few years that included a disappointing loan spell with Genoa in Serie B.

He has the ability to be successful in the Liga NOS, but it appears that he will never hit the level he was predicted to.

Spurs Web Opinion

Adel Taarabt’s career should be seen as a cautionary tale for young players, much like Ravel Morrison’s. Both players had world-class potential but were never able to deliver on this. While the idea of him playing for Barcelona or Real Madrid seems ludicrous now, it was very possible and shows just how good he could have become.

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