Luka Modric has said there is no need to “crucify” Kylian Mbappe over his decision to snub Real Madrid and stay at Paris Saint-Germain.

Mbappe appeared destined to leave PSG in a free transfer and join the European and Spanish champions, but he instead signed a new contract with the French side that keeps him tied to the club until 2025.

Modric, Real Madrid’s midfield maestro, remained diplomatic about the 23-year-old’s decision to snub Madrid and says the club can thrive without him.

“Mbappe decided as he decided, that is his right and now he lives with that decision. It goes on,” he told Croatian sports daily Sportske.

“We all thought he would come to us, it didn’t happen and — now what? Well, we’re not going to crucify the man.

“Mbappe is a great player, but as I always repeat, in any context, no player is more important than the club. Real is the greatest, above every player and it will always be like that. Who knows what can happen tomorrow, let alone in three or four years in football? Only time will tell.”

Madrid are looking to build on their Champions League and La Liga success last season.

Carlo Ancelotti returned to Santiago Bernabeu to guide the capital club to the two titles and Modric credited the coach’s “calmness and stability” as crucial factors in their 2021-22 season.

“A new coach arrived. Carlo Ancelotti found a lot of players from his first era at Madrid. This made it easier to adapt to the new course, after the great years with Zinedine Zidane.”

Inter sign Mkhitaryan

Inter Milan have signed Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan following his departure from fellow Italian side AS Roma, the Serie A team said on Saturday.

The 33-year-old excelled for Roma last season, but could not agree a contract extension.

Inter did not provide details of Mkhitaryan’s contract but media reports said he had signed a two-year deal.

Mkhitaryan’s arrival followed those of Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana, Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku on a season-long loan from Chelsea and Albania midfielder Kristjan Asllani from Empoli.

Defence gets boost

Newcastle United have completed the signing of Dutch defender Sven Botman from Lille on a five-year deal, the Premier League club said. Details of the fee were not disclosed, but British media reported that the 22-year-old had joined for $42.33 million.

Written with inputs from Reuters