Luka Modric to Leave Real Madrid After Club World Cup, Ending a Legendary 13-Year Era

Real Madrid has officially announced that Croatian midfielder Luka Modric will depart the club following the conclusion of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, held from June 14 to July 13 in the United States. The 39-year-old playmaker, who joined Real Madrid in 2012 from Tottenham Hotspur, shared the news in a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing pride, gratitude, and unforgettable memories from his time at the club.

Modric’s final home appearance at the Santiago Bernabéu is scheduled for May 24, 2025, against Real Sociedad in the last La Liga fixture of the season. Although his contract officially expires on June 30, he will sign a temporary extension to remain with the club through the Club World Cup before parting ways.

During his illustrious 13-and-a-half years at Real Madrid, Modric played 590 matches, scored 43 goals, and provided 95 assists. He won a remarkable 28 titles, including six UEFA Champions League trophies, six FIFA Club World Cups, five European Super Cups, four La Liga championships, two Copa del Rey titles, and five Spanish Super Cups. His trophy haul makes him the winningest player in Real Madrid history, a record he shares with Nacho Fernandez.

Modric’s legacy includes winning the 2018 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first player outside the Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi duopoly to claim the award since Kaka in 2007, following his pivotal role in Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph and Croatia’s run to the World Cup final. He also set records as the oldest player to represent and score for Real Madrid in La Liga.

The decision to part ways was mutual, reflecting Real Madrid’s strategic shift toward a younger midfield core featuring talents like Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Federico Valverde. Despite offers to extend his career at Madrid, Modric chose to leave, though he has no plans to retire from professional football.

In his farewell message, Modric thanked club president Florentino Pérez, teammates, coaches, and fans for their support, emphasizing the special bond he feels with Madrid supporters. He concluded, “I am leaving with a full heart, filled with pride, gratitude, and unforgettable memories. And even though, after the Club World Cup, I’m no longer going to wear this shirt on the field, I’ll always be a Madrid fan”.

Modric’s departure marks the end of an era for Real Madrid, closing a chapter defined by unprecedented success and his enduring influence on one of football’s greatest clubs.