Real Madrid captain Luka Modric will depart the club this summer, bringing an end to a historic 12-year spell in the Spanish capital.
The 39-year-old midfielder and Ballon d’Or winner is set to leave the club following the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.
Modric joined Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur back in 2012 and was even named as the worst signing of the season by Spanish newspaper Marca.
Since then, he has become the most decorated Real Madrid player of all time, winning an incredible 28 trophies in his time with Los Blancos, including six Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles.
In a statement on the club’s website, Real Madrid thanked Modric for his 590 games, in which he scored 43 times and registered 95 assists, calling him “one of the greatest legends of our club and world football.”
Modric also spoke to fans through a message posted on Instagram in which he said: “ I leave with a full heart. Full of pride, gratitude and indelible memories. And although, after the Club World Cup, I will no longer wear this shirt on the pitch, I will always be a Madridista.”
Special tributes will be paid to the Croatian after Real Madrid’s last La Liga game of the season against Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu.
What’s next for Luka Modric?
It is not yet known if the 39-year-old is set to retire following the announcement of his departure from Real Madrid.
The Croatian will end his time at the club after the Club World Cup in America this summer, but his destination after that is unknown.
Back in April, Modric joined the ownership group at EFL Championship side Swansea, thus becoming an investor and co-owner.
Many have speculated that this move might be preparing him for a switch to play for the Swans, but it is unlikely that his role will be anything more than in an advisory capacity.
Rumours have also swirled in the past that the veteran midfielder may return to his boyhood club, Dinamo Zagreb. Modric played for Zagreb between 2003 and 2008, making 85 appearances and winning three Croatian League titles, two Croatian Cups and the Croatian Super Cup.
Back in November 2024, then-manager Nenad Bjelica said in an interview with Radio MARCA: “Luka Modric back to Dinamo? Who wouldn’t like to have Modric in their team? I hope he will finish his career at Dinamo Zagreb.”
Zagreb, who are currently without a manager, may want to bring Modric back in a player/manager role but it is unlikely that his head will be turned by the prospect.