Luka Modric to leave Real Madrid after Club World Cup

MADRID – Luka Modric will leave Real Madrid after the Club World Cup, the Croatian midfielder said on May 22, as the club’s most successful player and the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner prepares to end a trophy-laden stint in Spain.

Modric, who arrived at the club from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, has played almost 600 games for Real and won nearly 30 trophies – including a record six Champions League titles and four La Liga trophies.

His last match at the Bernabeu will be Real’s final La Liga game of the season against Real Sociedad on May 24 and the 39-year-old said he would sign off after their Club World Cup campaign which begins in June.

“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... On May 24, I will play my last match at the Santiago Bernabeu,” Modric wrote on Instagram.

“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. Although, after the Club World Cup, I will no longer wear this shirt on the pitch, I will always be a Madridista.”

Having arrived for a fee of around €35 million (S$51 million), the playmaker quickly established himself in the Real starting line-up and led them to their long-awaited 10th Champions League crown in his second season.

When Zinedine Zidane took over as coach, Modric became the centrepiece of the squad who won three Champions League titles in a row from 2015-16 to 2017-18.

After his 2018 World Cup exploits when he guided Croatia to their first final, he won the Ballon d’Or to break a 10-year duopoly between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

He also walked away with the Best Fifa Men’s Player award as well as the Uefa Men’s Player of the Year gong in 2018.

“I arrived in 2012 with the illusion of wearing the shirt of the best team in the world and with the ambition to do great things, but I couldn’t imagine what came next,” Modric added.

“Throughout these years, I have experienced incredible moments, comebacks that seemed impossible, finals, celebrations and magical nights at the Bernabeu... We have won everything and I have been very happy.

“Real Madrid will always be my home. For the rest of my life.”

Modric’s contract was due to end on June 30 but he will play at the Club World Cup that will run from June 14 to July 13, with Real confirming his participation in Fifa’s new 32-team tournament in the United States.

“Real Madrid would like to show its gratitude and affection to the man who is already one of the greatest legends of our club and of world football,” the club said.

“Modric has been an essential player in one of the most brilliant eras in our history. In the 13 seasons in which he has defended our shield, he has won 28 titles.

“Modric is one of only five players in the entire history of football to have won six European Cups and is the player with the most titles in the 123 years of Real Madrid’s history.”

Tributes from his teammates past and present poured in on social media.

“The only thing outweighing my sadness right now is the gratitude I feel for having had the honour of being your teammate,” wrote midfielder Jude Bellingham, 21, on Instagram, sharing a picture of himself and Modric.

“You’re a constant reminder of everything that is beautiful about football.”

“Legend,” wrote Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr, 24, under Modric’s post.

Real Betis’ 33-year-old playmaker Isco, who played alongside Modric for nine seasons, wrote: “To be loved by everyone is the most difficult thing and you have achieved it with your football and the way you are.”

Real will also be organising a tribute to Modric when he plays his last La Liga game for them on May 24.

His impending departure is another blow for the team, who were already lacking in midfield after German Toni Kroos retired last summer.

Los Blancos have, however, already signed defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth and are set to bring in Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold at the end of his contract. REUTERS, AFP