Real Madrid’s veteran Croatian midfielder Luka Modric announced on Thursday that he will depart the Spanish giants following the Club World Cup this summer. The 39-year-old made the revelation in an emotional Instagram post, marking the end of his contract with Los Blancos.
“Everything in life has a start and an end… on Saturday I will play my last match at the Santiago Bernabeu,” Modric wrote. He expressed deep pride and gratitude for his time at the club, adding, “I’m leaving with a full heart, filled with pride, gratitude and unforgettable memories. And even though, after the Club World Cup, I’m no longer going to wear this shirt on the pitch, I will always be a Madrid fan.”
Since joining Real Madrid from Tottenham in 2012 for approximately €35 million, Modric has played nearly 600 games, winning six UEFA Champions League titles and four La Liga championships among other trophies. Despite a challenging start, he quickly established himself as one of the world’s premier midfielders.
Modric’s illustrious career includes winning the Ballon d’Or in 2018, a year highlighted by his stellar performances that helped Croatia reach the World Cup final in Russia. Reflecting on his time at Real Madrid, he recalled “incredible moments, comebacks that seemed impossible, finals, celebrations and magical nights at the Bernabeu,” expressing immense happiness for the successes achieved.
As Modric prepares to close this chapter, fans and football enthusiasts worldwide celebrate the legacy of one of the sport’s most gifted midfielders.
