Real Madrid Remains coy on Barcelona rumours

Barcelona give up on Srna

Ramos and Modric: The odd couple

Despite missing a number of games due to injuries this season, Darijo Srna has hailed his compatriot Luka Modric as the best player in the world right now and insists Real Madrid's form this season would not be possible without their midfielder.

Under Zinedine Zidane, Los Blancos embarked on a 40-match unbeaten streak which eventually came to a halt with Sevilla's 2-1 win in LaLiga, before the capital club crashed out of the Copa del Rey against Celta Vigo.

"Modric is beyond just a friend, he's the best midfielder in the world right now. I have no doubts; I'm not saying that he is one of the best, I affirm that he is the best," Srna told MARCA.

"Luka has grown over the years, I think he is now at his peak. Since he arrived he has been improving with the team. Real Madrid are having a great run of results, but without Luka they would have problems."

With Modric currently sidelined through a thigh injury, Srna has heaped praise on the contribution of Mateo Kovacic, tipping the youngster as the club's future star midfielder.

"I'm sure he will do well [to succeed Modric] because he's an incredible talent. I adore him. Although he has grown a lot as a player, he has not yet realised his potential... but he will eventually.

"He is the future of Madrid. He needs time because in just three years he has gone from Dinamo Zagreb to play at Inter and Real Madrid."

Meanwhile, the 34-year-old right-back has been coy on rumours linking him to a possible move to Barcelona and believes under-fire midfielder Ivan Rakitic will return to form soon.

"I do not talk about those rumours, Shakhtar is my club, my love, my life," he continued.

"Rakitic has demonstrated his quality many times and scored a goal in the Champions League final!

"I am sure he will work hard to get back to its best level. I trust Rakitic very much."