Luka Modric officially ended his 13-year journey with Real Madrid after announcing in May that he would leave the club following the Club World Cup.
The Croatian midfielder’s last game for Los Blancos came in the semi-final against PSG when the club lost 4-0, closing a chapter that began in 2012 and brought a home a record 28 trophies.
The 39-year-old has now signed a one-year contract with AC Milan with an option for an additional year in hope to extending his career in Italy until at least 2027.
During his time in Madrid, Modric was much more than a key player, he was instrumental in helping the Spanish side win six Champions League titles, four La Liga trophies, and five UEFA Super Cup trophies in 597 appearances in all competitions.
But the Croatian influence ran deeper than numbers, as his ability to control tempo, break lines and read the game in both directions shaped the Madrid’s midfield for more than a decade.
Now that he’s gone, Madrid are facing a real challenge and while Xabi Alonso have got talent in midfield, no player currently at the club can replicate Modric’s all-round qualities.
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Youngster Arda Guler has emerged as a potential solution after showing some moments of Geniuses under Alonso but there are real doubts about leaning on a 20-year-old for such a demanding role and that uncertainty has kept Madrid active in the transfer market with Enzo Fernandez, Ezequiel Palacios and Vitinha among the names linked.
What Marcelo Bielsa has said about Luka Modric?
Legendary coach Marcelo Bielsa already explained why finding players like Modric is so difficult. Speaking to many outlets over the years, Bielsa has said,
🗣️ Marcelo Bielsa with the highest of praise for Luka Modrić… 🧠 pic.twitter.com/8S3rAKIFeP
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) July 21, 2025
“The hardest player to find in football is the 8. I named it ‘the Modric’, who defends like a 6 and attacks like a 10.
He has the ability to defend, the skills to attack and understanding of the game in both directions.”
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