Modric confirms Madrid departure after Club World Cup

Real Madrid legend Luka Modric officially announced he will leave the club following the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

The Croatian midfielder is set to play his final match at the Santiago Bernabeu this weekend.

In a heartfelt statement on Thursday, he said, “Although, after the Club World Cup, I will no longer wear this shirt on the pitch, I will always be a Madridista.”

The 39-year-old’s contract is set to expire, and while there were reports of a potential extension, the club has decided to move in a new direction, prioritising a generational shift in midfield.

Modric has been with Real Madrid for 12 years and his final competitive appearances for the club will be during the Club World Cup tournament in the United States.

Modric joined Real Madrid in 2012 and has been instrumental in one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, winning numerous titles including six Champions League trophies. He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2018.