Luka Modric does not often look back. When he does, it is usually with distance. One moment, though, still feels close. It involves Chelsea. It also involves a teammate he did not want to lose. The move happened during a strong period at Real Madrid. The team was winning. The midfield felt settled. Losing someone at that time felt unnecessary. Modric admitted it was hard. Time has passed since then, but the feeling has not completely faded. Some decisions make sense on paper. Others leave an emotional mark, even when success follows.
YEARS TOGETHER IN MADRID
Much of Modric’s time at Real Madrid overlapped with Mateo Kovacic. They played together at club level. They played together for Croatia. Their paths ran side by side for years.
Kovacic arrived in 2015. He stayed until 2019. His role changed often. Starts were not guaranteed. Competition was constant. That was the reality of that midfield, filled with elite names. Still, Modric felt Kovacic’s level was clear. Even without being the main figure, his influence showed. Big games. Tough moments. He handled them calmly. That mattered inside the squad, even if it was not always visible from the outside.
THE CHELSEA DECISION
Before the 2018–19 season, Kovacic left on loan to Chelsea. The move caught attention. It also raised questions. At Chelsea, things changed quickly. Kovacic played almost every week. He became important. His confidence grew. He made over 50 appearances that season. Chelsea won the Europa League. They reached another final too. Responsibility brought rhythm. The loan turned permanent. Chelsea paid around £40 million. The chapter closed, quietly but firmly.
WHY MODRIC STRUGGLED WITH IT
Modric understood the logic. He did not argue with it. He still struggled with the outcome. Speaking on a Croatian YouTube channel, Modric explained his view. He felt Kovacic already played a lot at Madrid. He felt he was among the best in that squad. Kovacic wanted more responsibility. He wanted to be central. He wanted to feel essential. That desire pushed him toward London. For Modric, the loss felt personal, not professional.
MORE THAN TEAMMATES
Their relationship went beyond football. It started with the national team. It grew over time. Trust built naturally. Modric spoke about chemistry. About understanding. About something that stayed even after separation.
Many players drift apart after moves. This did not. In fact, Modric suggested the bond became stronger. That does not happen often, especially at the top level.
🗣| Modric on Kovacic (2022):
“I think Mateo Kovacic could be my heir, at least he is the player with the most talent. He has played in important clubs such as Inter and Real Madrid. He is at Chelsea now and is doing really well. He is one of the possible successors. Surely he… pic.twitter.com/xG1skwySWZ
— City Chief (@City_Chief) June 24, 2023
HOW KOVACIC’S CAREER MOVED ON
Kovacic’s form in England did not go unnoticed. Manchester City later signed him. The fee was around £25 million. The move added another Champions League title. It also confirmed his standing among Europe’s elite midfielders.
From the outside, the decision to leave Madrid looked justified. Success followed him. That does not erase what was lost along the way.
MODRIC AFTER MADRID
Modric’s own journey has shifted. He left Madrid in the summer. Thirteen seasons came to an end. He signed a one-year deal with AC Milan. At 40, he is still playing. Still contributing. Still setting standards. Six Champions League titles remain part of his legacy. So do four league titles. Yet certain moments stay louder than silverware.
There is also a sense that Modric views that period as unfinished in a human sense. Success continued. Trophies arrived. But the dressing room felt different. Familiarity matters at elite clubs, and Kovacic’s departure quietly altered that balance.
AUTHOR’S INSIGHT
This story feels less about Chelsea and more about timing. Kovacic left to feel needed. Modric stayed to complete a legacy. Both choices worked. Still, Modric’s words suggest something was lost that trophies do not replace, and those moments tend to stay with players longer than goals or medals.
As featured on Chelseanews.com