Luka Modric 'may be 35 but he doesn't look it on the pitch', says Zinedine Zidane as he hails 'phenomenal' star and midfield par

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane praised an evergreen Luka Modric after the 35-year-old midfielder produced a majestic display to help his side reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Modric played a crucial role in breaking the deadlock in Real's 3-1 second leg win over Atalanta, contributing to his side's high-pressing game and intercepting a kick out from keeper Marco Sportiello to set up Karim Benzema for the opening goal.

"We all know the player Modric is, he may be 35 but he sure doesn't look it out on the pitch," Zidane told reporters after his side made it to the last eight of Europe's top competition for the first time since 2018.

Working in tandem with fellow pass-master Toni Kroos in the absence of suspended holding midfielder Casemiro, the Croatian also helped Real control possession and deal with Atalanta's energetic pressing game.

"Each player has their own characteristics and as a holding midfield duo, they are phenomenal," added the Frenchman on Kroos and Modric.

Modric, who was voted the best player in the world in 2018, said he still felt fit enough to keep on going for a few more years.