Real Madrid captain Luka Modrić has announced his departure from the club at the end of their FIFA Club World Cup campaign this summer, marking the end of a glittering 12-year spell with the Spanish giants.
The 39-year-old Croatian maestro, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2018, will bid farewell to the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday as Los Blancos host Real Sociedad in their final La Liga fixture of the season.
In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, Modrić wrote: “The moment has arrived. The moment I never wanted to come, but that’s football — and in life, everything has a beginning and an end.”
Since his arrival from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, Modrić has lifted an astounding 28 trophies with Real Madrid, including six UEFA Champions League titles and four La Liga championships.
“When I joined in 2012, I dreamed of wearing the shirt of the world’s greatest club and hoped to achieve something special. But I never imagined what would follow,” he reflected.
“Playing for Real Madrid has changed my life both on and off the pitch. I’m proud to have played my part in one of the most successful eras in the history of this great club.”
Modrić’s final matches will come in June as Real Madrid compete in the FIFA Club World Cup. They are set to face Saudi Arabian champions Al-Hilal on 18 June, with additional group stage clashes against Mexico’s Pachuca and Austria’s RB Salzburg.
This season, Modrić contributed two goals and six assists in 34 La Liga appearances, as Real Madrid narrowly missed out on the domestic title to arch-rivals Barcelona.
He also featured in every match of their Champions League run, which ended in a quarter-final defeat to Arsenal, who triumphed 5-1 on aggregate.
Modrić’s current one-year contract expires at the end of this campaign.
Saturday’s match will also mark the end of an era on the touchline, with manager Carlo Ancelotti set to depart.
Former Real midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso is widely tipped to take over managerial duties.
