Luka Modric will leave Real Madrid after this season. The 39-year-old club icon will play his last home game for the Spanish powerhouse against Real Sociedad on Saturday. The Croatian midfielder won 28 trophies with ‘Los Blancos’ in thirteen seasons.
“Dear Real Madrid fans, the moment has arrived,” Modric wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “The moment I had hoped would never come. But that’s football and life. Everything has a beginning and an end.”
“When I arrived at Real Madrid in 2012, I had the ambition to achieve great things with the best team in the world. But I could never have predicted all these experiences with Real Madrid. Real Madrid has changed my life as a football player and as a person.”
Modric thanks chairman Florentino Pérez and all staff members and teammates he has worked with. “I have been able to experience great moments. Impossible comebacks, finals, celebrations and magical nights at the Santiago Bernabéu. We have won everything and that makes me very happy.”
“In addition to all the prizes and victories, I cherish the love of the Real Madrid fans. I will never forget your standing ovations and other gestures. I am incredibly proud and grateful for all the memories. And although I will never wear the shirt again after the Club World Cup, I will forever remain a Real Madrid fan.”
Modric Strung Together Prizes with Real
Modric made the switch from Tottenham Hotspur to Real in 2012 for 35 million euros. So far, the veteran has played 590 games for the powerhouse. He scored 43 goals and provided 95 assists.
In total, Modric won 28 club prizes with Real. The playmaker won four league titles with the Madrid team (2017, 2020, 2022 and 2014), among other achievements. The Croatian’s harvest in the Champions League is most impressive: he won the Champions League a total of six times with Real (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2024).
Modric also received many individual awards. In 2018 he won the Ballon d’Or, among others. His election was partly due to Croatia’s performance at the World Cup. The national team lost in the final against France. Modric has so far played 186 games for Croatia.
Modric will receive a grand farewell in the Bernabéu on Saturday. The veteran will then prepare with Real for the Club World Cup. The tournament in the United States starts on June 14 and lasts until July 13. It is not yet known whether Modric will stop afterwards or continue his career elsewhere.