LUKA MODRIC and Real Madrid have announced he will be leaving the club after the Club World Cup this summer.
In an emotional statement, the 39-year-old confirmed “the time has come”;; for him to move on from the Spanish giants.
Modric has been with the club since 2012 and has won an incredible 28 trophies, including six titles, four titles, two Copas del Rey and six Club World Cups.
But the ex-Tottenham star has been urged to make a “tremendous”;; transfer from Champions League to Championship by joining Swansea, who .
Former Madrid striker Fernando Morientes backed him to make the switch to next season, telling Casino Hawks: “ playing for would be tremendous.
“I’m sure there would be a lot of excitement among the fans. A player like Luka Modric, even if he’s at the end of his career, would be welcome I’m sure and he would be excited for the project.
“Obviously, we shouldn’t expect him to be 100 per cent or at his best because he’s at a certain age, but even when he came on against , the feeling of Madrid in midfield changed.
“He probably doesn’t have the level of competitive rhythm that a game like that demands, but he’s so intelligent, he’s so good in midfield, he has so much quality that he could continue to give a few good seasons.
“I think he could have a couple of good seasons in , without a doubt and I’m convinced the excitement he would generate among the fans would be tremendous.”;;
Modric is said to have wanted the club to trigger a contract extension that would have seen him spend one more season at the Bernabeu, but the decision was made not to activate it.
The Croatian will now have the chance to add a seventh accolade before he completely calls quits on his time with Los Blancos.
The refreshed competition being held in the USA will start on June 14 while the final will be on July 13.
Modric and Co. qualified for the tournament by winning the Champions League in 2021/22 and 2023/24.
In an statement on his exit, he said: “The moment has arrived. The moment I never wanted to come, but that’s , and in life everything has a beginning and an end.
“I arrived in 2012 with the hope of wearing the jersey of the best team in the world and the ambition to do great things, but I couldn’t have imagined what came next.
“Playing for changed my life as a footballer and as a person. I’m proud to have been part of one of the most successful eras of the best club in history.”;;
The club’s statement on the decision said: “Real Madrid C. F. and our captain Luka Modrić have agreed to bring an end to his unforgettable time as a player at our club following the Club World Cup, which the team is preparing to play starting 18 June in the .
“Real Madrid wishes to express its immense gratitude and appreciation for a player who has become a true legend both of our club and world football...
“Modrić is one of only five players in football history who have won 6 European Cups, and is also the player with the highest number of trophies in Real Madrid’s 123-year history.
“On an individual level, Modrić won the , was named The Best Men’s Player, and Men’s Player of the Year in 2018. He has been included in the FIFA FIFPro World XI on six occasions, and was also named Champions League Best Midfielder twice.
“Modrić has made 590 appearances for our club, scoring 43 goals. He has also won a Golden Ball and Silver Ball at the Club World Cup.”;;
The club statement also confirmed the Santiago Bernabéu will pay tribute to Modric on their final home game of the season this Saturday.
Real president said: “Modrić will forever remain in the hearts of all madridistas as a unique an exemplary footballer who has always embodied the values of Real Madrid.
“His football has captured the imagination of madridismo and fans all over the world. His legacy will live on forever.”;;
