Veteran midfielder Luka Modric has confirmed he will leave Real Madrid following this summer’s Club World Cup, bringing an end to a legendary 12-year spell at the club.
The 39-year-old Croatian made the announcement via Instagram on Thursday, saying his final appearance at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu stadium will come this Saturday.
“Everything in life has a start and an end… on Saturday I will play my last match at the Santiago Bernabeu,” Modric wrote, expressing deep emotion and gratitude. “I’m leaving with a full heart, filled with pride, gratitude and unforgettable memories.”
Although he will part ways with the team after the Club World Cup, Modric assured fans that his bond with the club remains unbroken: “I will always be a Madrid fan.”
Modric joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012 for a reported €35 million ($40 million). Despite a slow start in Spain, he evolved into one of the finest midfielders of his generation, amassing nearly 600 appearances for the Spanish giants.
During his time at Madrid, Modric won six UEFA Champions League titles and four La Liga championships, among numerous other trophies. His stellar performances earned him the Ballon d’Or in 2018, the same year he led Croatia to the FIFA World Cup final in Russia.
“Throughout these years I’ve experienced incredible moments, comebacks that seemed impossible, finals, celebrations and magical nights at the Bernabeu,” he recalled. “We won it all and I was very happy. Very, very happy.”
Modric’s impending departure marks the end of an era at Real Madrid, where he played a pivotal role in the club’s domestic and European dominance.
