MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 14: Luka Modric of Real Madrid looks during the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and RCD Mallorca at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 14, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Luka Modric will leave Real Madrid this summer (Getty)
Luka Modric will be looking for a new club after announcing that he is leaving Real Madrid this summer.
The 39-year-old, who joined from Tottenham in a £30 million deal in 2012, is just about to complete his 13th season with Madrid and has played an integral role in the club’s success over that period.
During his time in the Spanish capital, Modric has helped Madrid win 28 trophies, including four La Liga titles and the Champions League on six occasions.
The Croatia international has also won the highest individual award during his time at Madrid as he was named the Ballon d’Or winner in 2018.
Modric confirmed on Thursday that he will leave Madrid after their Club World Cup campaign this summer, while Saturday’s final La Liga game at home to Real Sociedad will mark his farewell in front of supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu.
TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric kisses the trophy after receiving the 2018 Men's Ballon d'Or award for best player of the year during the 2018 Ballon d'Or award ceremony at the Grand Palais in Paris on December 3, 2018. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Luka Modric won the Ballon d’Or in 2018 (AFP via Getty)
Luka Modric’s next club…
Modric is not calling time on his career just yet and it is understood that the midfielder is planning to retire after Croatia’s 2026 World Cup campaign next year.
According to Croatian daily Jutarnji, Modric already has three ‘lucrative’ offers from clubs in the Saudi Pro League, Qatar and Major League Soccer.
However, Croatia’s 24sata reports that Modric wants to arrive at next summer’s World Cup ‘in optimal form’ and is leaning more towards a switch to the MLS.
In 2023, Inter Miami’s co-owner David Beckham was spotted with Modric on the Croatian island of Sipan, sparking speculation that the former Tottenham midfielder would be the latest marquee name to make the move to the United States.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - MAY 18: (L-R) Lionel Messi #10 and Luis Su??rez #9 of Inter Miami CF arrive prior to the MLS match between Inter Miami CF and Orlando City at Chase Stadium on May 18, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Luka Modric could link up with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami (Getty)
Modric ended up remaining at Madrid but Inter Miami, who are managed by Javier Mascherano and have Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in their squad, have retained their interest and could now make a new attempt to sign the 39-year-old in the coming months.
Modric began his professional career at Dinamo Zagreb and supporters in Croatia are keen to see their national team captain return to their homeland. However, 24sata report that Modric has no intention of returning to Dinamo.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 01: Luka Modric of Real Madrid celebrates with the trophy during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 final match between Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid CF at Wembley Stadium on June 01, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Luka Modric has won six Champions League trophies with Real Madrid (Getty)
Luka Modric announces his Real Madrid departure…
In a heartfelt post on Thursday, Modric confirmed that his time at Madrid will come to an end this summer.
‘Dear Real Madrid fans: The time has come. The time I never wanted to come, but that’s football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end… On Saturday I’ll play my last game at the Santiago Bernabeu. I arrived in 2012 with the hope of wearing the shirt of the best team in the world and the ambition to do great things, but I couldn’t have imagined what came next,’ Modric wrote.
‘Playing for Real Madrid changed my life as a footballer and as a person. I’m proud to have been part of one of the most successful eras of the best club in history.
‘I want to sincerely thank the club, especially president Florentino Pérez, my teammates, coaches, and everyone who has helped me throughout this time. over these years, I’ve experienced incredible moments, comebacks that seemed impossible, finals, celebrations, and magical nights at the Bernabéu… We’ve won everything, and I’ve been very happy. Very, very happy. But beyond the titles and victories, I carry the affection of all Real Madrid fans in my heart.
‘I truly don’t know how to explain the special connection I have with you all, and how supported, respected, and loved I have felt and continue to feel. I will never forget every ovation and all the gestures of affection you have shown me.
‘I am leaving 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 Real Madrid fan. We will meet again. Real Madrid will always be my home. For life. Hala Madrid and Nothing Else. Luka Modric.’
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