The Croatian's next move has already generated plenty of speculation after his investment into Swansea City
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Luka Modric of Real Madrid applauds the fans during the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
(Image: Getty Images)
Luka Modric bid an emotional farewell to Real Madrid and their fans on Saturday night, resulting in incredible scenes at the Bernabeu.
The 39-year-old, the most decorated player in Real's history, is leaving the club on a free transfer this summer, bringing the curtain down on an incredible 13-year stint.
Modric departs with six Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and six Club World Cups under his belt, a record thoroughly deserving of the adulation thrust up on him by a fanbase known to demand nothing but the very best. Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone
The timeless midfielder could yet run out for Real again, of course. His ultimate swansong is likely to be the revamped Club World Cup this summer, and that upcoming tournament is likely to occupy all his focus over the coming weeks.
But attention is naturally starting to drift towards what happens next, particularly in light of his involvement in Swansea City, which has understandably generated plenty of excitement in SA1 since it was confirmed last month.
Suggestions of him potentially finishing his playing career in south Wales have bubbled away in hope more than anything else, however.
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Indeed, the chances of him pulling on a Swans shirt before hanging up his boots continue to look incredibly slim. A return to Dinamo Zagreb, the club where he started his senior career, is similarly seen as unlikely, despite similar levels of pining.
But even with his 40th birthday just around the corner, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner won't be short of offers this summer, and the rumour mill is already starting to turn.
According to Spanish outlet AS, there could well be interest from Saudi Arabia over the coming weeks, while clubs in the MLS are 'rubbing their hands with excitement' about the possibility of bringing the Croatian stateside.
And, there's one name in particular that seems to keep cropping up.
Mundo Deportivo have backed Modric to join David Beckham and Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.
They add that Beckham has been pursuing the midfielder since last year, and that the move has already been backed by the Barcelona legend, who was of course once a nemesis of the outgoing midfielder during the titanic instalments of El Clasico that have punctuated their respective careers. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here.
The ambitious American outfit could reportedly offer Modric a contract worth $2.5m in order to bring him to Florida, but cash might not be the only potential motivator in moving across the Atlantic.
According to noises in Croatia, Modric's main ambition beyond the summer is to get himself in the best possible shape to lead the national side into the 2026 World Cup, which is obviously being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Perhaps with a view to acclimatising, it's claimed he is, at this moment in time, leaning towards a stint in the MLS.
Nevertheless, it's clear that nothing has been decided, and that's unlikely to change for a little while yet, with the emotions of Saturday night likely to still be raw.
"The moment I never wanted to come has arrived, but it has been a long but wonderful journey," Modric said in an emotional speech after the full-time whistle sounded.
"First I wanted to thank the club, the president Florentino Perez. I wanted to thank all the coaches during all these years, the teammates who accompanied me and the people who helped me.
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"Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. To my family as well. We have won a lot, we have had wonderful moments.
"It is your love that you have given me during all these years. There are no words to thank you for everything you have given me over the years.
"I want to say a phrase that I saw and I liked: 'Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened'."