Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos believes Luka Modric is pivotal to the club's ambitions this season after the midfielder scored the winner in Sunday's 2-1 win away to Granada.

Modric popped up in the 85th minute and secured maximum points for Madrid after Granada's Youssef El-Arabi cancelled out Karim Benzema's first-half opener.

The goal was Modric's first La Liga goal this season and just his second in all competitions and after coach Zinedine Zidane called on the Croatia international to shoot more often, Ramos said  the 30-year-old is a key member of the squad.

"His goal today makes him more visible, but for me what he brings to the game is a must," Ramos told Movistar Plus.

"He's never marked out much, but he is the backbone of the team."