For the first time in his trophy-laden career, Luka Modric will become a free agent.
Real Madrid have confirmed the Croatian midfielder will depart the club at the end of the season upon the expiry of his contract, bringing an end to his trophy-laden 13-season stint with the Spanish Giants.
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Modric’s last fixture on Spanish soil comes on Saturday as Madrid face Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Madrid confirmed Modric will remain until the end of the Club World Cup.
“Luka Modric will forever remain in the hearts of all madridistas as a unique an exemplary footballer who has always embodied the values of Real Madrid,” Madrid president Florentino Perez said.
“His football has captured the imagination of madridismo and fans all over the world.
“His legacy will live on forever.”
Modric also penned a heartfelt tribute to the club in an emotional post on Instagram.
“I arrived in 2012 with the desire to wear the shirt of the best team in the world and with the ambition to do big things, but I couldn’t imagine what came next,” Modric wrote.
“Playing for Real Madrid changed my life as a football player and as a person.
“I am proud to have been part of one of the most successful eras of the best club in history.
“Throughout these years I’ve experienced incredible moments, comebacks that seemed impossible, finals, celebrations and magical nights at the Bernabéu… We won everything and I was very happy. Very very happy.
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“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 field, I’ll always be a Madrid fan.
“We’ll see each other again. Real Madrid will always be my home for a lifetime.”
Several Madrid stars past and present paid tribute to Modric, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Jude Bellingham.
“Thanks for everything, Luka!” Ronaldo wrote.
“It’s been a honour to share so many moments with you at the club. Best of luck in whatever comes next!”
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Bellingham added: “Thank you for everything Brate.”
Despite being 39 years old, talkSPORT understands Modric hopes to continue his playing career in the summer and will be open to offers from elsewhere.
Modric has registered four goals and nine assists from 55 appearances across all competitions this term.
However, the Madrid skipper has started just 26 times.
The 39-year-old will depart the Bernabeu having made just shy of 600 appearances with 43 goals and 95 assists to his name.
He joined Madrid from Tottenham in the summer of 2012 for £30million and has proved to be worth every penny.
Modric has been joined at the hip by silverware at the Bernabeu having collected a remarkable 28 trophies in that time.
No other player has won more trophies with Madrid in their 123-year history.
Six of those were Champions League titles, which were all won in the space of a decade.
Modric is one of only five players in history to have won the Champions League six times, cementing his status as a club legend.
Unfortunately he won’t be able to add to his four LaLiga crowns as Barcelona have already claimed the league title this term.
Modric has also excelled on an individual basis.
Trophies won by Luka Modric at Real Madrid
LaLiga: 2016/17, 2019/20, 2021/22, 2023/24
Copa del Rey: 2013/14, 2022/23
Spanish Super Cup: 2012, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2024
Champions League: 2013/14, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2021/22, 2023/24
UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2024
Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022
FIFA Intercontinental Cup: 2024
He became the first player outside of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d’Or since Kaka when he picked up the gong in 2018.
That year, Modric finished with 753 votes, 277 ahead of second-placed Ronaldo.
Modric was also named FIFA Best Men’s Player and UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2018 as well.
The midfielder has been named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI an impressive six times and the best Champions League Best Midfielder twice.
There is certain to be a flurry of services for Modric’s services from across the continent.
But if Modric elects to hang up the boots, he’ll still be involved with football given he is a minority owner at EFL Championship side Swansea City.
The Swans confirmed the announcement in April and added Modric’s ‘leadership, knowledge and passion for football will be key to the club’s ongoing development’.
