LAGOS, Nigeria — Luka Modric, the legendary 39-year-old midfielder for Real Madrid, has announced that he will leave the club following the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. The announcement came Thursday, just days before his final La Liga match against Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday.
Modric, who has played for Madrid for 13 seasons since joining from Tottenham in 2012, is regarded as one of the greatest players in football history. He has won a staggering 28 trophies, including six UEFA Champions League titles and four La Liga championships.
“The time has come. The moment I never wanted to come, but that’s football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end,” Modric said in an emotional statement on Instagram. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to wear the jersey of what he called “the best team in the world” and the pride he feels after being part of such a successful era.
In the current season, Modric has appeared in 34 La Liga matches, scoring two goals and providing six assists. Though his role has diminished over the years, he remains a vital figure for the team, contributing significantly even as other younger players have emerged.
Real Madrid will open their Club World Cup journey against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal on June 18. The team will also face Mexico’s Pachuca and Austria’s RB Salzburg in the group stage. Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez praised Modric, stating, “Luka Modric will forever remain in the hearts of all Real Madrid fans as a unique and exemplary footballer who has always represented the values of Real Madrid.”
As part of his farewell, Modric will receive a tribute at this Saturday’s match against Real Sociedad. “I am leaving with a full heart, filled with pride, gratitude, and unforgettable memories. I will always be a Madrid fan,” he added.
Reflecting on his time with the club, Modric pointed out that playing for Real Madrid transformed his life as both a footballer and a person. He further noted, “Although I won’t wear this shirt on the field after the Club World Cup, I will always carry the spirit of Madrid with me.”
His career at Madrid has been significant not just for individual accolades but also for the team’s legacy, further solidified with his historic performance during the 2018 World Cup with Croatia where he led the team to the final and won the Ballon d’Or that same year.
As the club prepares for what looks to be a major rebuild this summer, Modric’s exit indeed marks the end of one era, with changes also expected in management as Carlo Ancelotti is set to depart and Xabi Alonso lined up as his successor.
