Neither Modrić Nor Kroos: Ceballos Breaks a Stunning Record and Sends a Clear Message to Ancelotti

Dani Ceballos has achieved something historic at Real Madrid—something even Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos never managed—making a bold statement to Carlo Ancelotti.

For years, Real Madrid’s midfield has been one of the most dominant in football history, with Casemiro, Kroos, and Modrić forming a legendary trio that led the team to unprecedented success, especially in the Champions League.

However, with Casemiro now at Manchester United, Kroos retiring this summer, and only Modrić remaining, the big question is: who will inherit their mantle? Even within Real Madrid, the search for the next midfield leader has been ongoing.

Ceballos Steps Up
It seems Dani Ceballos is ready to rise to the challenge, and he proved it once again against Atlético Madrid. The Spanish midfielder has steadily earned his place in Ancelotti’s rotation, and starting in such a crucial derby indicates he’s now trusted for the biggest matches.

With another high-stakes clash against Manchester City on the horizon, Ancelotti will face a tough decision. But Ceballos is making his case loud and clear—he’s performing at an elite level and deserves a spot in the starting XI at the Etihad.

A Historic Achievement Against Atlético
Since joining Real Madrid in the 2017–2018 season, Ceballos has faced setbacks with injuries and fierce competition. But now, he’s broken through with outstanding performances.

Against Atlético, Ceballos completed 101 out of 102 attempted passes, a staggering 99.02% accuracy rate. This level of precision is unprecedented, making him a key figure in dictating play.

To put it in perspective, since his debut, there have been 366 instances where a player has attempted over 100 passes in a La Liga match. Ceballos is the only player to achieve a pass accuracy of over 99% in such a game. That’s historic.