Luka Modric Announces Departure from Real Madrid
Rabat – Luka Modrić, the 39-year-old Croatian midfielder, has announced he will end his long, trophy-filled career at Real Madrid after the FIFA Club World Cup next month. The decision will see him leave as the most decorated player in the club's history.
The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner joined Real Madrid in 2012. Since then, he has played almost 600 matches and helped the team lift 28 major trophies, including a record six UEFA Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns, during his 13-year spell with Real Madrid
His last game at the Santiago Bernabéu comes this Saturday, when Madrid host Real Sociedad in their final league match of the season. After that, Modrić will say goodbye for good during the Club World Cup.
In a heartfelt message on Instagram, he wrote, 'Dear Madrid fans, the time has come, the moment I never wanted. But football, like life, has a beginning and an end. On Saturday, I will play my last match at the Bernabéu.'
'Real Madrid changed my life'
Looking back on his journey from Tottenham Hotspur to Spain, he added, '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. Playing at Real Madrid changed my life as a soccer player and as a person.'
For 13 years, Modrić's vision, skill made him the heartbeat and the most essential player of Madrid's midfield, driving many famous wins and dramatic comebacks.
'I'm proud to have been part of one of the most successful eras of the best club in history,' he said, thanking club president Florentino Pérez, his coaches, teammates, and every staff member who supported him.
He recalled 'incredible moments, impossible comebacks, finals, celebrations, and magical nights at the Bernabéu. We won everything, and I was very, very happy.'
Modrić saved his deepest gratitude for the fans: 'Beyond trophies and victories, I carry your affection in my heart. I can't explain the special bond we share or how supported and loved you made me feel. I will never forget each ovation and every gesture of kindness.'
As he prepares to leave, Modrić says he does so 'with a full heart,' filled with pride, thanks, and memories that will last forever. And even though he will no longer wear the famous white shirt, he made one final promise: 'I'll always be a Madrid fan. Hala Madrid y nada más!' Tags: FootballLuka ModricModric
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
10 hours ago
- Morocco World
Canizares Sees Achraf Hakimi Among Top Ballon d'Or Contenders
Former Spanish goalkeeper Santiago Canizares ruled out Osmane Dembele as a top contender for the Ballon d'Or, instead naming Achraf Hakimi as one of the leading candidates. Highlighting Hakimi's stunning performances during the season, the former goalkeeper stressed that the Atlas Lion had an impressive season with PSG. He also tipped Vitinha as one of the contenders who should enter the race for the Ballon d'Or. 'Achraf had an impressive season. Vitinha is PSG's leader in terms of play. In my opinion, the race should be between Vitinha and Achraf,' Tribuna quoted the former Valencia goalkeeper as saying. Hakimi made headlines recently after scoring the opening goal during PSG's 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final. Following the game, leading French sports outlet L'Equipe hailed Hakimi as the first player to score for a French club in a European final in over three decades. The win saw PSG win its first-ever Champions League trophy. Hakimi has been named as part of the UEFA Champions League Team of the season after his contribution to PSG's historic run to win the European title. The Moroccan full-back is one of seven PSG players named in the squad , alongside Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Ousmane Dembélé, and Désiré Doué. In May, he was also named the best right-back in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season. Meanwhile, a hashtag recently surfaced on X and other social media of many commenters emphasizing that Hakimi should win the Ballon d'Or. '⚽ Goal in Champions League quarter-final ⚽ Goal in Champions League semi-final ⚽ Goal in Champions League final ⚽ Goal in Coupe de France final 🏆 Ligue 1 🏆 Champions League 🏆 Coupe de France 🏆 Trophée des Champions 🏅 Marc-Vivien Foé Award 🏅 UNFP Team of the Season 🏅 2× Man of the Match in Champions League,' one commenter wrote on X. Tags: Achraf HakimiAchraf Hakimi and Kylian Mbappe
Morocco World
15 hours ago
- Morocco World
Summer Transfer Window Heats Up Across Europe
As the summer transfer window opens, Europe's top clubs are busy lining up their next big moves, from veteran players seeking fresh challenges to young talents ready to break through. Real Madrid Departures and Negotiations After spending 13 years at the club, Real Madrid legend Luka Modric will leave this summer at the end of the FIFA Club World Cup . According to sports journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 39-year-old Ballon d'Or winner is a key target for AC Milan due to his experience. The Italian club is seeking a veteran who can guide and assist its younger players. Real Madrid and Benfica are at an impasse over left-back Álvaro Carreras. Madrid hoped to have him in place before the Club World Cup, but Benfica insists on the full 50$ million release clause, which Los Blancos consider excessive. Rather than lowering the fee, Benfica is only open to discussions about how the payment could be structured, according to Marca. Barcelona's Transfer Targets Sky Sports Deutschland's Florian Plettenberg says that Barcelona has already opened preliminary discussions to bring Liverpool's winger Luis Díaz to Camp Nou. At 28 years old, the Colombian winger sits high on Barça's wishlist despite the club's tight budget. Still, they may need to beat off interest from many lucrative offers from the Saudi Pro League. While Diaz remains their target signing, Barcelona is also monitoring other options in England. According to The Sun, Barcelona is interested in another Premier League player. The Blaugrana are reportedly eyeing Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, who, at 27, is believed to be on his way out of Old Trafford. United will reportedly listen to bids in the region of $40 million. Goalkeeper Joan García is on the verge of joining Barcelona from Espanyol. Fabrizio Romano says that Barça will activate his $25 million release clause. The 24-year-old Spanish goalkeeper played a key role in helping Espanyol avoid relegation, emerging as one of La Liga's top performers despite his team's struggles. Other European Star Strikers Viktor Gyökeres is widely considered as one of Europe's most lethal strikers after a sensational season with Sporting CP, where he scored 54 goals and provided 12 assists across all competitions. His performances have drawn interest from multiple clubs, with Arsenal reportedly leading the race. Atlético Madrid and Napoli are also keen to sign the prolific striker, but Sporting remain firm on their valuation, seeking around 75$ million to let him go. Al Hilal and AC Milan have reportedly reached an agreement in principle for left-back Theo Hernández. The 27-year-old is poised to join the Saudi Pro League side for 30$ million, but he has requested his annual salary be raised from 15$ million to 20$ million, according to Fabrizio Romano. Manchester City are in advanced talks with Olympique Lyon over a potential €40 million move for French midfielder Rayan Cherki. The 21-year-old has been given the green light for a transfer to the Etihad Stadium after an impressive campaign, recording 12 goals and 20 assists. Kevin De Bruyne has completed a verbal agreement to join Napoli on a free transfer, ending his tenure at Manchester City. At 33, the Belgian midfielder opted for Napoli over offers from MLS and Saudi Arabia, prioritizing a competitive European environment Moroccan Players on the Move Arsenal are keen to sign Bilal El Khannouss from Leicester City, with Mikel Arteta backing a $26 million move. The Moroccan midfielder, who arrived at Leicester from Genk last summer, impressed despite the team's struggles, tallying 3 goals and 5 assists across all competitions Real Madrid is tracking 16-year-old Abdellah Ouazane, who will become a free agent on June 30 when his deal at Ajax expires. The Spanish club has kept a close eye on the Moroccan youngster for some time, and they've already opened communication with his representatives ahead of a potential move. Wydad Casablanca has shown interest in bringing Hakim Ziyech back to Morocco now that he's a free agent. The 32-year-old winger ended his brief five-month spell with Qatari side Al Duhail, where he managed just one goal and one assist in 13 outings, before Al Duhail confirmed his departure last weekend. Moroccan left-back Youssef Lakhdim is pushing Real Madrid for a season-long loan to Deportivo Alavés after finding playing time limited at the Bernabéu. Alavés has agreed to cover his entire salary for the upcoming campaign, making the move straightforward for Madrid and giving the 18-year-old a chance to play regularly at a high level. Aston Villa have been linked with a summer move for Youssef En-Nesyri, who joined Fenerbahçe from Sevilla last summer for a club-record fee of $19.5 million. In his first season in Turkiye, the 28-year-old striker scored 20 goals in the Super Lig (30 across all competitions). However, sections of the Fenerbahçe support grew restless, occasionally booing him. Reports from Turkiye indicate En-Nesyri is growing restless in Istanbul and is open to new opportunities.
Morocco World
16 hours ago
- Morocco World
Franco Mastantuono: The Argentine Wonderkid Pitching PSG against Real Madrid
River Plate's midfielder Franco Mastantuono has become one of South America's most closely watched prospects, drawing interest from European giants Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Real Madrid's chief scout, Juni Calafat, travelled to Buenos Aires this week for discussions with River Plate executives and Mastantuono's entourage, with Los Blancos prepared to activate his $45 million release clause. Madrid's plan would allow the Argentine to remain at River Plate until the end of the year, as they did in 2023 with the Arda Güler transfer saga. The 17-year-old midfielder, who has scored 7 goals and 4 assists in 19 appearances this season, has also received his first call-up to the Argentina squad for World Cup qualifying fixtures in June. Meanwhile, reliable sports journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that PSG is also pushing to secure Mastantuono's signature. PSG believes it can leverage its recent European success to convince the young midfielder who has expressed a preference for the French club. Mastantuono was born in Azul, Buenos Aires Province. He signed his first professional contract with River Plate in August 2023, which included a €45 million release clause. River Plate's youth manager Martín Pellegrino has praised Mastantuono's left-footed versatility: 'He can operate as a forward, an 'enganche' or a playmaker.' Assistant coach Pablo Fernández also said: 'His prowess in one-on-one situations and dead-ball scenarios. Mastantuono cites Julián Álvarez, Phil Foden, and Neymar as inspirations for his dynamic, free-flowing style.' As both Real Madrid and PSG seek his signature, Mastantuono seems destined to follow in the footsteps of Julian Alvarez, Diego Maradona, Carlos Tevez, and Sergio Agüero, potentially securing a high-profile move to Europe in January 2026. Tags: Franco MastantuonoPSGReal Madrid
