On July 10, Luka Modric walked off the pitch one final time in the white of Real Madrid, his eyes brimming with emotion. The Croatian maestro’s last appearance came in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semifinal, where Madrid fell 0-4 to an unstoppable Paris Saint-Germain.
As the final whistle blew at MetLife Stadium, coach Xabi Alonso, a former teammate, embraced the 38-year-old midfielder, offering quiet words and comfort in a moment that transcended the scoreline.
Modric, who came on in the 64th minute to replace Jude Bellingham, could not alter Madrid’s fate. Yet, every touch he made carried the weight of his legacy. From his 2012 arrival to his 2025 farewell, he ends his Real Madrid chapter as the most decorated player in club history, boasting 28 trophies, including 6 Champions League titles and 4 La Liga crowns.
Fans in attendance captured the final moments with their phones, standing in applause as Modric exited. Even PSG players, including Vitinha, approached him with gestures of admiration and recognition for a player who redefined the modern playmaker.
Following this tournament in the United States, Modric will reportedly join AC Milan, continuing his elite-level journey in Europe. Though his Madrid days are over, his hunger for the game remains unshaken.
On the field, Modric still pressed, passed, and fought, though overwhelmed by PSG’s youthful, dynamic midfield. His final performance was not about influence; it was about closure.