Real Madrid captain Luka Modric will end his 13-year link with the club this summer.
The 39-year-old has been an ever-present part of Los Blancos’ success since his 2012 arrival from Tottenham with 590 club appearances made.
That places him ninth on the club’s all-time match list with the Croatia international winning four La Liga titles and six UEFA Champions League crowns during his time in the Spanish capital.
Modric had previously hinted at his willingness to play on at Real Madrid beyond his 40th birthday in September as part of a long-running contract renewal agreement with club president Florentino Perez.
The former Spurs star has become the poster boy for Real Madrid’s infamous policy of only offering one-year extensions to players aged 30+ with a succession of contracts signed by the midfielder.
All parties were open to one more year together, as Modric looks to keep alive his dream of leading Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer, but a change has now been confirmed.
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The latest update fromĀ Cadena COPEĀ indicates the club are determined to turn a fresh page, and Modric’s free transfer exit will follow on from Carlo Ancelotti’s departure at the end of May, despite the new boss Xabi Alonso reportedly wanting him to stay.
The call has been made, and Real Madrid will miss his experience and quality in the engine room, as Alonso now looks to appoint a new captain.
Who will be Real Madrid’s captain in 2025/26?
Real Madrid and other La Liga sides have a ‘team of captains’ with one primary leader backed up by other senior figures.
Modric replaced Nacho Fernandez as club captain last summer – following the latter’s move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah – with Dani Carvajal installed as ‘second captain’ and Lucas Vazquez and Fede Valverde as third and fourth respectively.
With Modric not a guaranteed starter, the armband has rotated in 2024/25, with 16 La Liga games each for him and Vazquez, as Carvajal has missed the majority of the campaign through injury.
Vinicius Junior and Thibaut Courtois have also led the side in Copa del Rey and Champions League action but much will depend on Alonso’s plan for Carvajal in 2025/26.
The Spain international has brushed off suggestions he will immediately lose his place to Trent Alexander-ArnoldĀ – and he will join the squad at the Club World Cup in June – which marks the end of Modric’s time at the club.
Alonso had Bayer Leverkusen goal keeperĀ Lukas Hradecky as captain for his three seasons in charge at Leverkusen and Courtois could be an option.
However, Carvajal looks to be the obvious choice to at least be named as club captain, but many Real Madrid fans view Valverde as the future leader of the team, and the Uruguayan has already been handed the role for his national side.
A job share between Carvajal and Valverde could be a strong basis for Alonso as Modric finally heads for the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu exit door.
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