Luka Modric will turn 40 in September and the future of the Croatian footballer, who wants to continue in the elite for another year to be able to reach the 2026 World Cup, is still unknown. Negotiations for his renewal are currently at a standstill and several teams have set their sights on him.
Luka Modric’s renewal
The end of Luka Modric’s career is closer than ever and his renewal with Real Madrid is becoming complicated. The footballer wants to continue in the team for one more year, he wants to continue in the elite of football for one last season, and he wants to do it dressed in white and put an end to his career after the 2026 World Cup.
Luka Modric has already lowered his salary to renew for the current campaign, and he would be willing to lower it even further to continue for another year as captain of Real Madrid. He does not want to talk about other options, he is determined to stay and will do everything possible to convince the club.
Interest in Modric
The truth is that, at his age, no elite team has shown interest in his services for next season, which is to be expected at this stage of his career. The only options he has for next season are contacts he has received from Qatar and the MLS, something that does not appeal to a footballer used to working at the highest level. He wants to stay at Real Madrid for another year. Regardless of the salary and the number of minutes he will get, he believes it is the best way to be ready for the 2026 World Cup, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to convince Florentino Pérez. He believes he has earned the right to finish his career at Real Madrid for another year.
Difficulties for Luka Modric
The truth is that Luka Modric has shown two faces during the season. Carlo Ancelotti has drastically reduced his playing time, above all to keep him in shape and ensure that his performance is not affected by the number of matches. In general terms, the midfielder has shown that he is not lacking in footballing ability and has been able to contribute quality minutes to the team. However, in the most demanding matches, the physical drop that modern football demands is noticeable.
In Real Madrid’s defeat against Arsenal, Luka Modric found the midfield too big for him. With little help from the unsupportive team in defense, he could not keep up with a London team that ran like planes. It was a reality check for a footballer who has been Ballon d’Or winner, but who sees how time is starting to take its toll.
Luka Modric arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2013, and nobody could have imagined the footballer he would become in the white shirt. After eleven seasons with the team, he has won 6 Champions Leagues, 5 Club World Cups, 5 European Super Cups, 4 Leagues, 5 Spanish Super Cups and 5 Intercontinental Cups.
Furthermore, in 2018 he won the Ballon d’Or ahead of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, being the only footballer to do so against the two world stars.
Renewing Luka Modric’s contract with Real Madrid is complicated. The player wants to continue, but the board believes that the Croatian’s time has passed. We will see if they finally reach an agreement and give him the last year he is asking for so that he can reach the 2026 World Cup and can hang up his boots wearing the Real Madrid shirt. But at the moment there are no negotiations and right now it is unlikely that they will continue.