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# Central Defensive Midfielder - Casemiro
Real Madrid's Casemiro is arguably one of the finest defensive midfielders in the game at the moment.
A mainstay at the club since his arrival almost a decade ago, the 29-year-old has produced an impressive tally of 30 goals and 25 assists in nearly 300 games for Real Madrid across competitions.
However, the Copa America 2021 finalist has also excelled in his primary responsibilities - breaking up opponents' plays in the middle of the park with his dribbling, aerial prowess and ball-playing ability.
The Brazilian produced four goals and three assists in Real Madrid's triumphant 2019-20 La Liga campaign. Casemiro bettered those numbers by tallying six goals and four assists next season, but Madrid narrowly failed to defend their title.
Having started all three league games this season, Casemiro provided an assist in the thrilling 3-3 Matchday 2 draw at home to Levante, and looks to be a key player for Carlo Ancelotti this season.
# Central Midfielder - Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos is one of the finest midfielders to have graced the game. The 31-year-old has been a key player at Real Madrid since his arrival at the club seven years ago.
Kroos, who usually plays in a deep-lying playmaking role, doesn't score too many goals, but when he does, they tend to be landmark strikes. Recently, the German, who is a set-piece specialist, scored the first direct free-kick goal for Real Madrid against Barcelona this century.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner has racked up an impressive tally of 80 assists in over 300 games for Real Madrid, providing 12 of them across all competitions last season.
Kroos is yet to make an appearance this season, but is likely to be a key player for Ancelotti's men when he returns from his hernia injury in a few weeks.
# Central Midfielder- Luka Modric
Luka Modric is one of the most high-profile players left in La Liga following the departure of Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi from the competition this summer.
Despite being on the wrong side of 30, the Croatian midfielder metronome, along with Casemiro and Kroos, forms one of the best midfield trios in the game at the moment.
The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, who is closing in on 400 appearances for Real Madrid, provided a trio of assists in as many games last season to help his club reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in three years.
Like his midfield partner Kroos, the 35-year-old Modric also doesn't score a lot of goals. But the four-time Champions League winner makes up for that with his creativity, ball-playing prowess and experience, which have been invaluable for Real Madrid over the years.
Modric provided an assist in Real Madrid's opening La Liga game of the season, but has missed the next two games due to an adductor injury.
