Modric vs Schweinsteiger

At their respective peak, who was the better player?

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  • Poll closed .
Peyroteo said:
Even then, Xavi had a 30 assist season and 15+ was normal for his career. Iniesta had 10+ assists regularly, same for pretty much every top midfielder this century. Modric didn't have more than 10 assists in a season once, he's not good at all at playing the final ball or creating opportunities.

For all the ways a midfielder can influence a game, Modric is only world class at retaining the ball. He's not great at making decisions close to goal, not much of a goalscorer or creator, defensively he's good but not superb, not really a physical presence... not saying he doesn't deserve the praise, he's been the best midfielder in the world in the past 5 years but Madrid's success in the past few years has led to people ignoring his flaws. He's a tier below the likes of Pirlo and Schweinsteiger and two tiers below Xavi and Iniesta.
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You're comparing him to the greatest midfielder of a generation in Xavi though.

Iniesta plays further up the pitch and again is a class above so you'd expect much more final output. I'd compare him to say Thiago, Gundogen or someone of that ilk.
 
People who are vehemently claiming that Kroos was better than Schweinsteiger have definitely not seen any German football.
 
Schweinsteiger, though ofcourse there will be bias.

From 2009-2016 (till Euro '16) he was amazing midfielder and maybe the best over that period (since Xavi declined post 2013-14). He had everything you would want from a midfielder and could play multiple roles at a high level.

Modric, for me, seems to regulated to a playmaker role for Real and doesn't show enough besides that while Schweinsteiger showed a more varied set of qualities. Schweinsteiger was stronger defensively, as shown by his performances in the 2014 World Cup where he was more often the deepest midfielder amongst the three, and offensively as he scored many more goals (he was very good at making late runs into the box).

From 2009-2012 he was a high quality midfielder but was still not at the top because he lacked one vital thing, mentality. I thought he was weak mentally (he said after the 2012 UCL semi-final, where he took the winning penalty, that was scared before taking that kick) and therefore he wasn't a leader, a quality you wanted from your best midfielder. Then, after Euro 2012, something happened and he transformed into a fantastic leader, that was when he reached the top. From 2012-2014 he played at an amazing level, capped by that classic performance in the WC final, one of the best I've seen.

Regarding Kroos in this conversation. He should be better than both because he has the skillset but suffers problems both Schweinsteiger and Modric have seen. 1) I think he lacks the leadership qualities Schweinsteiger had and 2) Like Modric, he's been squeezed into a very narrowly defined role when I think he can be much better if given a more offensive role like he was under Heynckes..
 
Hard to say. One thing about Schweinsteiger's peak is that it was too short, regrettably. He only hit it when Van Gaal permanently moved him to DM/CM at age 25, and constant injuries hampered his career soon afterwards. A few years later he was done physically, United supporters only saw the end of a long development.

So in terms of ability + career I'd go with Modric, but since the question was peak level: both are/were brilliant CMs, but with different characteristics. I think they would complement each other well in the right setup.
 
Schweinsteiger peak level arguably edges it against Modric albeit both very different footballers - just think Schweinsteiger has that versatility, leadership which allowed him serve the needs of his team in any given situation (CDM, goalscorer, playmaker etc) but as is evidenced by how quickly his career nosedived after losing his physical attributes he was not as classy as a Modric or able to control a game as effectively - Modric could do this aged 60 if he wanted to.

Club wise both played in great sides, though I would argue Bayern played in a tougher era - but let’s say Modric edges that, when you look at internationally it’s not really a fair comparison when one plays for Germany and the other plays for Croatia and yet Modric almost took his smaller nation all the way to the biggest prize in a way I don’t think Schweinsteiger ever could as I don’t think he can control a game as much as that single handedly. Nevertheless Schweinsteiger was the face of the uber successful national side.

I think the safe thing to say is they’re both better than Kroos for me but in a h2h there is no clear cut winner. However if someone took me back to 2008 and asked me who I would want in Uniteds midfield to replace Scholes - I would say Modric without a moments hesitation.
 
Schweini is so overrated. He is literally one year older and he is playing who knows where while Modric is picking up his Ballon d'Or. Few years ago when Modric was clearly the best midfielder in the world Schweinsteiger was struggling to start ahead of Fellaini.

Edit: feck it, OP was asking about their peak. In that case, Schweinsteiger wins it. But Modric was easily the better player throughout their careers.
 
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Amar__ said:
Schweini is so overrated. He is literally one year older and he is playing who knows where while Modric is picking up his Ballon d'Or. Few years ago when Modric was clearly the best midfielder in the world Schweinsteiger was struggling to start ahead of Fellaini.

Edit: feck it, OP was asking about their peak. In that case, Schweinsteiger wins it. But Modric was easily the better player throughout their careers.
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Players peak and decline at different times. It's like saying some random player X is playing so well in PL when Cantona was retired when he was 30 or Best when he gave up when he was 27 and played in shit leagues.

There are many more examples.
 
Raees said:
(...) as is evidenced by how quickly his career nosedived after losing his physical attributes he was not as classy as a Modric or able to control a game as effectively - Modric could do this aged 60 if he wanted to.
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I know this is figurative speaking, but I'm not sure about that. Modric's explosiveness and agility are crucial for his game, imo. Especially when it comes to shaking off his marker with a quick turn to get into open space, and then rapidly moving forward with the ball. I'd say he's more of a "box-to-box playmaker" than predominantly a passer, and while his passing is brilliant, he does quite a bit of running with the ball & taking on opponents. His defensive sprints are also noteworthy.

It's remarkable how long he's been able to retain that quickness. I reckon he'd have to change his style when his legs are finally gone, but he has the necessary abilities for that, of course.
 
roonster09 said:
Players peak and decline at different times. It's like saying some random player X is playing so well in PL when Cantona was retired when he was 30 or Best when he gave up when he was 27 and played in shit leagues.

There are many more examples.
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That's big difference between their periods, Schweinsteiger isn't playing serious football almost 5 years while Modric was best midfielder in the world during that period, and it's hard to say Schweimsteiger had anywhere near that difference earlier in his career to Modric. But anyway, I made a mistake, OP was asking who had the higher peak and I edited my post.
 
Amar__ said:
That's big difference between their periods, Schweinsteiger isn't playing serious football almost 5 years while Modric was best midfielder in the world during that period, and it's hard to say Schweimsteiger had anywhere near that difference earlier in his career to Modric. But anyway, I made a mistake, OP was asking who had the higher peak and I edited my post.
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5 years before that Schweinsteiger was on different level to Modric. Like I said, they peaked at different times.
 
Amar__ said:
Schweini is so overrated. He is literally one year older and he is playing who knows where while Modric is picking up his Ballon d'Or. Few years ago when Modric was clearly the best midfielder in the world Schweinsteiger was struggling to start ahead of Fellaini.

Edit: feck it, OP was asking about their peak. In that case, Schweinsteiger wins it. But Modric was easily the better player throughout their careers.
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And a few years before that when Modric was given the worst signing of the season award Schweinsteiger won the UCL and then the World Cup the year after. But then again lets also forget before that when Schweinsteiger was competing in two UCL finals over 3 years and was constantly in the final stages of national competitions, playing vital roles in all of them.

Their peaks didn't coincide with each other. At their peak Schweinsteiger was better because he could multiple roles at a very high level. As for their career, I would still say Schweinsteiger has better for longer because he was one of the top midfielders from 2009 (till 2016), when he moved there. Modric has been at the same level from 2013 and we are already seeing a sharp decline in his performances this season.
 
hasanejaz88 said:
And a few years before that when Modric was given the worst signing of the season award Schweinsteiger won the UCL and then the World Cup the year after. But then again lets also forget before that when Schweinsteiger was competing in two UCL finals over 3 years and was constantly in the final stages of national competitions, playing vital roles in all of them.

Their peaks didn't coincide with each other. At their peak Schweinsteiger was better because he could multiple roles at a very high level. As for their career, I would still say Schweinsteiger has better for longer because he was one of the top midfielders from 2009 (till 2016), when he moved there. Modric has been at the same level from 2013 and we are already seeing a sharp decline in his performances this season.
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You are not half biased mate. There is a reason why Real signed Modric in the first place. Because he was a great player at Spurs.
 
Modric.

Schweinsteiger could still be crowded out of a game. And his peak wasn't really that long. Think he's been idealised a fair bit by the bayern treble season.

Modric is the only player I've seen since Nedved who somehow could play his own game the way he liked for 90 minutes regardless of the opposition or what his team mates were doing (ignoring xaviesta here for sake of discussion ).
 
Treble said:
You are not half biased mate. There is a reason why Real signed Modric in the first place. Because he was a great player at Spurs.
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I hate this type of argument because it makes it seem I am belittling Modric, who is a great player. The 'worst signing of the season' was a jibe at the ridiculous comment that because Schweinsteiger was struggling at United when Modric was at his peak, he is somehow a worst player, wilfully ignoring the previous years when Schweinsetiger was at his peak and Modric himself was struggling.

Anyways, when he says Schweinsteiger hasn't been playing serious football for 5 years, when Bayern won the UCL 5 years ago and Germany the WC the year after, it shows he lacks any clue about Schweinsteiger's career. Shouldn't have to drag Modric in the dirt because someone is doing the same with Schweinsteiger.
 
B20 said:
Modric.

Schweinsteiger could still be crowded out of a game. And his peak wasn't really that long. Think he's been idealised a fair bit by the bayern treble season.

Modric is the only player I've seen since Nedved who somehow could play his own game the way he liked for 90 minutes regardless of the opposition or what his team mates were doing (ignoring xaviesta here for sake of discussion ).
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The only team I've seen crowd Schweinsteiger was peak Dortmund under Klopp (before the 2012-13 season when Bayern dominated Dortmund). Modric too struggled a lot when he came across the same Dortmund team in 2013 and the year after when Dortmund won 2-0. Modric hasn't been as dominant in games v Bayern in the UCL as well.

I don't Modric is as immune to the press as he's being made out to be as I have seen him struggle while in Madrid and struggle to control games.
 
Modric definitely has more flair, style and elegance.

But how could anybody argue argainst peak Schweinsteiger? That man was a midfield on his own.

Unfortunately for us, he was done when he arrived here. He wasn't even that old though, but his body was destroyed by a decade full of warrior performances at his physical limits.

This is how he looks nodaways.

https://www.kosmo.at/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ana_ivanovic.jpg

That man is 34 years old.

He looks like an older brother of Richard Gere.
 
Synco said:
I know this is figurative speaking, but I'm not sure about that. Modric's explosiveness and agility are crucial for his game, imo. Especially when it comes to shaking off his marker with a quick turn to get into open space, and then rapidly moving forward with the ball. I'd say he's more of a "box-to-box playmaker" than predominantly a passer, and while his passing is brilliant, he does quite a bit of running with the ball & taking on opponents. His defensive sprints are also noteworthy.

It's remarkable how long he's been able to retain that quickness. I reckon he'd have to change his style when his legs are finally gone, but he has the necessary abilities for that, of course.
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I agree with that analysis but the reason why I said aged 60 is that he has that innate nimbleness and agility where even as an older man he would retain that albeit not to an elite level. He barely puts on any weight like a Giggsy.

Whereas someone like Schweinsteiger isn’t genetically blessed in the same way and has to work hard to keep on top physical shape and age hit him very hard.
 
It's easy to be blinded by Schwein's time here (ed - he played here?!) but if he had joined five years earlier under SAF we would all be voting for Bastian.
 
Schweinsteiger peak was higher. Incredible all-around midfield presence in both direction.
But if I had to choose a player to build around, it would be Modric.
 
hasanejaz88 said:
And a few years before that when Modric was given the worst signing of the season award
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He was given after two months into the season, but until end of the season he was in the team of the season or something like that.

Schweinsteiger has better for longer because he was one of the top midfielders from 2009 (till 2016), when he moved there.
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No, he signed for us in 2015 and was nowhere near topmidfielders. Even year or two before that he had tough inury and missed a lot of football, and was really rusty comibg back for at least month or two after. I remember because I followed BL then quite a lot. Modric is at least 5 years best midfielder in the world, Schweini never managed that. Even at Tottenham Modric was player of the season and that was 2011/12.
 
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roonster09 said:
5 years before that Schweinsteiger was on different level to Modric. Like I said, they peaked at different times.
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Not really, 5 years before that Modric was the best player in the premierleague.
 
Amar__ said:
Not really, 5 years before that Modric was the best player in the premierleague.
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Not sure Modric ever was the best player in the PL.

At least in Modric's last season Van Persie was better. And before that I'd give it to Rooney.
 
Probably Schweinsteiger. Modric is fantastic but he's a minus on defense, and that matters in his position. Bastian was not as good with the ball but he didn't need it to provide value. Modric is useless without it.

Poll?
 
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It's so amuzing reading this thread. Butthurt fans that can't stand the fact Real won 4 CL's after Modric was signed to elevate their game to required level are making up all kind of nonsense to support their case.

I mean the guy above me says Modric is a minus on defense. Mate, if Modric, a guy who was running himself into the ground every year for last 5 seasons by running for his entire team (and his casual buddy Kroos) is a minus on defense, then the likes of Xavi, Iniesta or Pirlo are out of any discussion and the picture of Schweini's blooded face seems to be clouding your judgement when it comes to comparison between those two.

Modric is level abowe all of them because he's the complete package, the rest are all speciallists apart from Schweini who was also all rounder but technically levels below Modric.
 
gaucho_10 said:
It's so amuzing reading this thread. Butthurt fans that can't stand the fact Real won 4 CL's after Modric was signed to elevate their game to required level are making up all kind of nonsense to support their case.

I mean the guy above me says Modric is a minus on defense. Mate, if Modric, a guy who was running himself into the ground every year for last 5 seasons by running for his entire team (and his casual buddy Kroos) is a minus on defense, then the likes of Xavi, Iniesta or Pirlo are out of any discussion and the picture of Schweini's blooded face seems to be clouding your judgement when it comes to comparison between those two.

Modric is level abowe all of them because he's the complete package, the rest are all speciallists apart from Schweini who was also all rounder but technically levels below Modric.
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Hes good defensively but madrid were vunerable when casimero doesnt play.
 
gaucho_10 said:
It's so amuzing reading this thread. Butthurt fans that can't stand the fact Real won 4 CL's after Modric was signed to elevate their game to required level are making up all kind of nonsense to support their case.

I mean the guy above me says Modric is a minus on defense. Mate, if Modric, a guy who was running himself into the ground every year for last 5 seasons by running for his entire team (and his casual buddy Kroos) is a minus on defense, then the likes of Xavi, Iniesta or Pirlo are out of any discussion and the picture of Schweini's blooded face seems to be clouding your judgement when it comes to comparison between those two.

Modric is level abowe all of them because he's the complete package, the rest are all speciallists apart from Schweini who was also all rounder but technically levels below Modric.
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We're all rational and calm and you come swinging with the "butthurt fans", bro. Ironic. I don't care that Real have won 4 CL's, I just have a different opinion to you.

Maybe he isn't a minus on defense, the feck do I know. I'm not conceding now though.
 
I've always liked Modric and would have loved him here but feel that Real's UCL triumphs have elevated him to a status his general level of performances don't back up. Both he, and Real collectively, have struggled to dominate games in midfield in La Liga for years and those are the majority of the games he plays. He's a huge big game player and when he's on form he's incredible to watch, but he's not at that level half as often as people seem to think. There's a reason Madrid bought him from Spurs but claiming he was the best player in England at any point is nonsense.

Schweinsteiger was a different kind of player but had an ability to bring his best performances to the big games whilst also being Mr. Dependable week-in week-out in his domestic league. I also feel he was more important to his team than Modric, with the exception of Croatia where Modric is comfortable the most involved midfielder.
 
gaucho_10 said:
It's so amuzing reading this thread. Butthurt fans that can't stand the fact Real won 4 CL's after Modric was signed to elevate their game to required level are making up all kind of nonsense to support their case.

I mean the guy above me says Modric is a minus on defense. Mate, if Modric, a guy who was running himself into the ground every year for last 5 seasons by running for his entire team (and his casual buddy Kroos) is a minus on defense, then the likes of Xavi, Iniesta or Pirlo are out of any discussion and the picture of Schweini's blooded face seems to be clouding your judgement when it comes to comparison between those two.

Modric is level abowe all of them because he's the complete package, the rest are all speciallists apart from Schweini who was also all rounder but technically levels below Modric.
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If Modric was so amazing defensively there wouldn't be a need to play Casemiro with him and Kroos, Casemiro is absolutely vital to Madrid; without him their midfield would be unbalanced.

Schweinsteiger though played as a deep playmaker, like Modric, with Javi Martinez as a defensive midfielder when Bayern won the UCL, and then himself played as a DM when Germany won the WC the next year with Kroos and Khedira. That shows the versatility he had and why I would rate him higher than Modric.
 
Scarecrow said:
We're all rational and calm and you come swinging with the "butthurt fans", bro. Ironic. I don't care that Real have won 4 CL's, I just have a different opinion to you.

Maybe he isn't a minus on defense, the feck do I know. I'm not conceding now though.
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I see ni rational thinking in people constantly dismissing the fact that la decima was just some elusive dream for Florentino and Ronaldo until Modric came along and then it was not just 1 but 4 in 5 years, while at the same time the same people come up with the most ridiculous arguments to make their case. If you want to call that me swinging, then swinging it is.
 
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