- Modric has officially left Madrid after his contract at the club came to an end
- He had been with them for 13 years but will now move to the Serie A giants
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Luka Modric has bid an emotional farewell to Real Madrid on the back of his final appearance at the club.
Modric, who is Madrid’s most successful player in their history, is departing the LaLiga giants on the back of his contract expiring, and will join AC Milan in Serie A ahead of the new season.
While with Madrid, Modric won six Champions League trophies and four LaLiga titles, as well as the Ballon d’Or.
Now, though, he will embark on a new adventure, while he has also taken a minority control in Swansea in the Football League Championship.
He didn’t truly know when his final game would be as he embarked on a Club World Cup run with Madrid, but it all came to an end on Wednesday when his side were outclassed by Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, losing 4-0.
And, after the game, Real Madrid released an interview with Modric that saw the Croat reflect on his 13-year-long stay in an emotional manner, as per Sport.
Luke Modric bid an emotional farewell to Real Madrid after playing his final game for the club
He received a hero’s reception from his Real Madrid team-mates in his 597th and final game
He is the most successful Madrid player of all time, winning six Champions League titles there
‘An unforgettable, glorious and winning stage has ended,’ Modric said. ‘What I have experienced gives me more joy.
‘Remembering everything I have achieved here makes me very happy, even if it is over. I have grown as a player and as a person. Real Madrid has given me everything football-wise and for that I will be grateful for life. I’m always going to be a Madridista.
‘It has been a long journey, but unforgettable. I’ve grown a lot as a player and as a person. I have another house outside my house, because Madrid and Spain are like my second home.
‘I’m very happy and I’m sure that with time I’ll be even more aware of what I’ve achieved, because I’m going to need some time to add up all the emotions and everything I’ve achieved here.
‘Hearing my numbers makes me happy and proud of what I have achieved. Being the player who has won the most titles at the best club in the history of football is impressive.
‘There are also other things, such as the affection of the people. I always keep that with me because it’s something that no one can take away from you. You can’t fool people and they won’t love you just because you play for Real Madrid, but the affection they have given me is impressive. I never imagined it.’
After the game, Modric received a hero’s reception and a hug from short-term manager and former Madrid team-mate Xabi Alonso.
In total, the 39-year-old played 597 times for Madrid.
His final game was a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final of the Club World Cup
Modric, who is also a minority owner in Swansea City, will now join Serie A giants AC Milan
Modric, meanwhile, joins a plethora of current football stars to own a club and play at the same time.
In 2024, Kylian Mbappe acquired an 80 per cent stake in Ligue 2 side SM Caen through Coalition Capital.
After his move to Saudi Arabia, N’Golo Kante purchased and became chairman of Belgian third-tier club Royal Excelsior Virton in 2023.
His former team-mate, Gareth Bale, is looking to invest in Cardiff City – one of Swansea’s rivals.
