Madrid's Eternal Magician Moves On
Luka Modric leaves Real Madrid a legend.
By Patric Ridge
All good things must come to an end.
But it really did feel as though Luka Modric and Real Madrid may go on forever.
At the age of 39, though, Modric is parting ways with Los Blancos. A year on from Toni Kroos’ retirement, and three years since Casemiro — the youngest of the once-great trio — departed the club, Madrid will have to finally move on.
The time has come. The moment I never wanted to come, but that's football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end... On Saturday I will play my last match at the Santiago Bernabéu.
-Luka Modric
There could still have been a place for Modric. He has hardly declined at all as the years have rolled by. Evergreen doesn’t do him justice.
A look at the numbers from this season is all you need.
He has tallied up 56 appearances across all competitions, contributing to 13 goals, scoring four times and providing nine assists.
In possession, Modric is still effervescent. In the last year, he ranks in the top six percent of midfielders for: touches, progressive carries, progressive passes and passes attempted.
Creatively, Modric is still a force, too. He ranks in the 99th percentile for shot-creating actions and expected assists, and the 98th for assists.
Madrid have elected to move on, though. They see the impending arrival of Xabi Alonso, after a season without a major trophy, as the chance for a reset, albeit it was reported earlier this week that Alonso was keen to keep Modric — his former Madrid team-mate — around.
That is what is most incredible about Modric: His longevity.
In fact, according to Opta, of his 13 seasons in a Madrid shirt, this season is the one in which Modric has played the most games, while only in 2021-22 did he register more direct goal involvements (15).
It was back in 2012 when Madrid signed him from Tottenham Hotspur, and that first season in the famous white jersey did not go according to plan. Modric made 33 LaLiga appearances, but was criticised heavily by those in the media and in the stands at the Bernabéu.
I arrived in 2012 with the desire to wear the shirt of the best team in the world and with the ambition to do big things, but I couldn't imagine what came next.
Playing for Real Madrid changed my life as a football player and as a person.
I am proud to have been part of one of the most successful eras of the best club in history.Throughout these years I've experienced incredible moments, comebacks that seemed impossible, finals, celebrations and magical nights at the Bernabéu... We won everything and I was very happy. Very very happy.
But beyond the titles and victories, I carry in my heart the affection of all Madrid fans. I really don't know how to explain the special connection I have with you and how supported, respected and loved I have felt and feel. I will never forget each ovation and all the gestures of affection you have shown me.
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.-Luka Modric
Modric cast those initial struggles aside to become the club’s second-highest appearance maker among non-Spanish players, after Karim Benzema, who played 648 times for Los Blancos between 2009 and 2023. The Croatian’s farewell league appearance against Real Sociedad on Saturday will be his 591st Madrid game.
Should Madrid reach the final of the Club World Cup, and Modric play in each of those fixtures, he would bow out on 598.
In allowing Modric to leave, Madrid are losing a player who was integral to four LaLiga title wins and six Champions League triumphs.
He scooped the Ballon d’Or in 2018, having won the Champions League with Madrid and then led Croatia to the World Cup final. At the time, he was the first player not named Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to win that accolade since 2008.
Madrid will be hoping Modric can push them to one more title, at the Club World Cup. Could the last of the old guard get Alonso’s new era off to a triumphant start?
But it is a risk. Madrid got by without Casemiro, with the club knowing when to cash in on a holding midfielder that had seemed at the peak of his powers, but dropped off upon his arrival at Manchester United.
Yet the last year has shown how much they have missed Kroos since he bowed out, and Modric leaves a similar-sized void.
On the flip side, it is a chance at a clean break, and Madrid do not lack the financial firepower to go and source a replacement. Alonso also deployed a three-at-the-back system during his hugely successful Bayer Leverkusen spell, and it would seem he is likely to do the same at Madrid. Would there be room for Modric in a midfield two?
It will be fascinating to see how Madrid handle the next step, and it will be intriguing to see what Modric — who has still got it — does next.