Luka Modrić Bids Emotional Farewell to Real Madrid After 13 Legendary Years
Veteran midfielder exits following 4-0 Club World Cup semifinal defeat to PSG
A painful night for Real Madrid fans was made even harder by the emotional farewell of club legend Luka Modrić, who played his final game for the Spanish giants during a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinal at MetLife Stadium.
The 39-year-old Croatian midfielder, who joined Real Madrid in 2012, leaves behind one of the most decorated careers in club history. After over a decade of excellence, Modrić made a brief appearance in the second half, replacing Jude Bellingham in the 69th minute.
End of an Era
Modrić finishes his Real Madrid career with 598 appearances, 43 goals, and 95 assists, according to Transfermarkt. His trophy haul includes:
- 6 Champions League titles
- 6 FIFA Club World Cups
- 4 La Liga titles
- Multiple domestic and international cup wins
His vision, leadership, and consistency helped define Real Madrid’s modern era, especially during their historic Champions League three-peat under Zinedine Zidane.
Final Performance in White
Although Real Madrid were outclassed by PSG in the semifinal, Modrić remained composed in his brief time on the pitch. According to Sofascore, he completed 10 accurate passes and registered one tackle, though the game was already beyond Madrid’s reach.
It wasn’t the fairytale ending fans had hoped for, but Modrić received applause from both sets of supporters as he walked off the pitch, marking the end of an illustrious chapter.
Next Stop: AC Milan
Modrić’s next destination has been confirmed: AC Milan. The move was announced by Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri, and will mark the sixth club of Modrić’s career. He previously played for:
- Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
- Inter Zaprešić (Croatia, loan)
- Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina, loan)
- Tottenham Hotspur (England)
- Real Madrid (Spain)
He now joins an ambitious Milan side looking to return to European glory, bringing with him unmatched experience and leadership.
