Luka Modric, one of the finest midfielders in football history, has officially announced his departure from Real Madrid after 13 illustrious years. The 39-year-old Croatian maestro will play his final La Liga match for Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu this Saturday against Real Sociedad.
Real Madrid earlier confirmed they would not renew Luka Modric contract, which expires at the end of the current season. Luka Modric revealed in an emotional Instagram post that although he’ll play in the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA (June 14 – July 13), Saturday’s fixture will be his Bernabeu farewell.
Luka Modric
Modric, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, reflected on his journey:
“The time has come. I never wanted it to, but this is football. I came in 2012 dreaming of doing something great. I could never have imagined what followed.”
he credited the club for transforming his life, saying:
“Real Madrid changed me as a footballer and as a person. I’m proud to have been part of this historic era. We won everything. I thank everyone from the president to my teammates and the fans.”
Luka Modric also pledged lifelong support for the club:
“Though I won’t wear this jersey after the Club World Cup, I’ll always be a Madridista. Real Madrid is my home forever. Hala Madrid!”
His departure marks the end of an era the legendary midfield trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro. During his time at Real, Modric won an astonishing haul of trophies:
- 6 UEFA Champions Leagues
- 4 La Liga titles
- 2 Copa del Rey titles
- 5 Spanish Super Cups
- 5 UEFA Super Cups
- 5 FIFA Club World Cups
Luka Modric legacy is cemented as a key architect of one of the most successful periods in Real Madrid’s history.