Luka Modric wants another year at Real Madrid, and he doesn’t want another year as a gift for his services. The Croatian footballer is approaching 40, but he continues to show in every game that he has plenty of quality left in him. Against Sevilla, he was the best player on the team alongside Mbappé, and he is giving Florentino Pérez and Xabi Alonso plenty of reasons to sign him.
Modric and his renewal
The renewal of Luka Modric continues to be the talk of the town. Although the footballer and Florentino Pérez have not yet sat down to discuss the matter, everything seemed to indicate that the Croatian’s time at Real Madrid would come to an end after the end of the championship. However, Modric is giving more than enough reasons for the board to reconsider the situation. In the league match against Barcelona, his presence was decisive in the second half, proving that he can contribute in big games. And against Sevilla, he was the absolute leader of a lackluster and unambitious Real Madrid. He gave a master class in soccer.
Xabi Alonso speaks out
Xabi Alonso has a lot to say on the matter, and his word will be key to the Croatian player’s future. It is expected that in the coming days, once the Bundesliga has concluded this past weekend, the Basque coach will go to Valdebebas to plan the season, and we will see whether or not he is in his plans. There is no doubt that the Croatian’s style of play fits in with Xabi Alonso’s idea of the game, and his experience could be key in a squad full of young talent, a role model who knows how to guide and teach the new generations.
No one doubts Modric’s professionalism and work ethic. This season, despite playing fewer minutes than in previous years, he is the twelfth player with the most minutes on the squad, making him the 12th player for Ancelotti, who, if it were up to him, would already have renewed his contract.
What is clear is that Modric will remain captain of the team in the next Club World Cup. The player signed his contract last season with this tournament in mind, so he would be a free agent once the tournament is over.
A year to retire
Everything indicates that Luka Modric will end his career at the end of next season. The Croatian’s goal is to end his career with the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in the summer of 2026. That is his goal and what he is working towards. If, at the end of the World Cup, he feels like continuing to play soccer, it is unlikely that he will be able to do so at Real Madrid, which would already be betting on younger players to build the team of the future.
However, with regard to this season, the situation has taken an unexpected turn and it cannot be ruled out that Real Madrid may renew Modric’s contract for another season. The player continues to perform at a very high level. He is doing everything possible to reverse a decision by Florentino Pérez and the board that seemed firm, and Xabi Alonso’s word will be key to the Croatian’s future. The player wants to stay, is willing to take a pay cut, and is willing to accept whatever role the new coach assigns him. He is determined to achieve his goal, which is to reach the 2026 World Cup with Croatia wearing the white jersey of Real Madrid.