Luka Modric Announces Real Madrid Departure After Club World Cup

Real Madrid’s Croatian midfielder Luka Modric announced on Thursday, May 22, 2025, that he will depart the Spanish football club following the conclusion of the Club World Cup this summer.
Modric, 39, confirmed his impending departure in an Instagram post as his contract with Los Blancos approaches its end. He stated, “Everything in life has a start and an end… on Saturday I will play my last match at the Santiago Bernabeu.”
The midfielder conveyed his sentiments regarding his tenure at the club: “I’m leaving with a full heart, filled with pride, gratitude and unforgettable memories.” He added, “And even though, after the Club World Cup, I’m no longer going to wear this shirt on the pitch, I will always be a Madrid fan.”
Modric has made nearly 600 appearances for Real Madrid since joining from Tottenham in 2012. During his time with the club, he has secured numerous trophies, including six Champions League titles and four La Liga titles.
Initially facing challenges after his transfer, reportedly worth around 35 million euros ($40 million), Modric quickly established himself as one of the world’s premier midfielders. His exceptional performances for both Real Madrid and the Croatian national team, which finished as runners-up at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, earned him the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2018.
Reflecting on his experiences at the club, Modric stated, “Throughout these years I’ve experienced incredible moments, comebacks that seemed impossible, finals, celebrations and magical nights at the Bernabeu.” He concluded, “We won it all and I was very happy. Very, very happy.”