Luka Modric played his last La Liga match for Real Madrid on Saturday, May 24, as Los Blancos beat Real Sociedad 2-0 to finish second in the league table.
Modric signed for Real Madrid in 2012 and has since played 591 matches for them.
Technically, it was not the 39-year-old Croat’s last match for Real, as he should feature in the Club World Cup in June.
However, he has definitely played his last match in Spain, as his glittering career draws towards an end. It was a pity that Modric ended his last season at Real without a trophy.
Luka Modric: The Midfield Maestro Behind Real Madrid’s European Dominance
Modric has won six UEFA Champions League and four La Liga titles with Real. This makes him one of the most successful players in the club’s history.
Modric formed a famous triumvirate in the midfield with Toni Kroos and Casemiro. Kroos was the metronomic passer and Casemiro the enforcer in the midfield.
Modric was a somewhat deep-lying No. 10 in that set-up, who kept providing probing passes to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.
He played as a central midfielder but had all the ingredients of an advanced playmaker in his game.
He was the engine of the Real Madrid side, who never stopped running towards the opposition penalty box.
His set-piece prowess only added another dimension to his utility as a player. He thus registered numerous assists to guide Real towards unprecedented success in Europe.
Modric was a great leader on the pitch for them as well, never willing to back off from a fight.
He showed enough promise during his stint at Tottenham Hotspur prior to coming to Santiago Bernabeu, At Tottenham, he had more defensive duties as a player initially but gradually asserted his creative influence as a player.
A Legacy Etched in Real Madrid and World Football History
Without a doubt, Modric should feature in the best-ever Real Madrid XI.
In a four-man midfield, he deserves a place alongside Alfredo Di Stefano, Zinedine Zidane, and Toni Kroos.
Aside from Predrag Mijatovic – who scored the winning goal in the 1998 UCL final – and Davor Šuker, Modric’s compatriot, few other Eastern Europeans have made a lasting impact at Real Madrid.
Modric won both the Ballon d’Or and the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup, placing him in an exclusive club.
He may soon hang up his boots, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of footballers.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Recording Date: 24.05.2025