Luka Modrić Last Dance with Real Madrid and Im New Groove with AC Milan
Luka Modrić, dat Croatian wizard wey grab 2018 Ballon d’Or, don close im 13-year book with Real Madrid for one bittersweet waka during di FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals on July 9, 2025. Im last match for di Spanish giants end for 4-0 bashing from Paris Saint-Germain for MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
Even with dat yeye result, Modrić legacy as Real Madrid most decorated player, with 28 trophies, including six UEFA Champions League and four La Liga titles, still dey shine like diamond. Now, at 39, Modrić don dey gear up for new adventure with AC Milan, move wey show say im love for football and hunger to play for top level no dey shake, as im eye dey on 2026 World Cup.
Modrić journey with Real Madrid start for 2012 when im land from Tottenham Hotspur. Pipo bin dey doubt am at first, but im quick quick shut their mouth with im sharp vision, correct pass, and tireless hustle.
For 597 matches, im be di heartbeat of Real Madrid midfield, dey control game with better swag wey define one whole era. Im trophy shelf pack six Champions League titles, record wey no get mate, and im peak moment na 2018 when im collect Ballon d’Or, scatter di Messi-Ronaldo show.
For im last season, the Croatian maestro role come small, e dey mostly jump in from bench. For di Club World Cup, im play five times as substitute, including dat PSG match wey im enter for 64th minute to replace Jude Bellingham.
Even with 3-0 down, every touch wey im make carry weight, fans dey hail am, teammates dey respect am. Real Madrid oga, Xabi Alonso, talk say di “bitter end” no fit spoil Modrić shine. “Luka legacy pass one game,” Alonso yarn, as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois add say di space wey Modrić leave go hard to fill.
Modrić announce im waka from Madrid for May 2025, and di Club World Cup be im final stage for dat white jersey. Im farewell for Santiago Bernabéu on May 24, during 2-0 win against Real Sociedad, na pure vibes. Stadium full, fans give am standing ovation, even di opponent team line up to salute am.
“To play for Real Madrid change my life as footballer and as person,” Modrić post for Instagram. “Di moment wey I no want don come, but dat na football.” Club presido, Florentino Perez, hail am as “one of a kind, correct footballer” wey carry Real Madrid spirit.
Now, Luka don face AC Milan, move wey dem confirm on July 7, 2025, by di new Milan coach, Massimiliano Allegri. “Modrić go land for August. Im na special player,” Allegri yarn for press conference.
Di 39-year-old sign one-year deal with option for another, worth €3.5 million ($4 million) per season, plus bonus. Dis na im first time for Serie A, after playing for Croatia, England, and Spain. Im no go Saudi or MLS for retirement cheque—im choose Milan, club wey wan bounce back from eighth place for 2024-25 season, to show say im still get fire.
Milan fans dey gingered for Modrić arrival. Allegri plan to make am di main man for midfield with Loftus-Cheek and Musah, dey tweak formation to use im playmaking skills. Former Real Madrid director Pedja Mijatović talk say Modrić fit dey inspired by Zvonimir Boban, Croatian legend wey shine for Milan.
Milan sporting director, Igli Tare, hail Modrić “big hunger to compete,” even yarn say im fit play pass 2025-26 season.
For Modrić, dis move na strategy. At almost 40, im eye still dey on leading Croatia for 2026 World Cup. To play for Serie A, starting with Milan Coppa Italia match on August 17 and Serie A kickoff against Cremonese on August 23, go keep am sharp. Italian journalist Carlos Passerini talk say, “Modrić no come Milan to chill and collect pension.”
Modrić exit from Real Madrid na end of one big era, but im move to AC Milan show say im hunger never die. As im dey ready to wear di red and black, Modrić carry legacy of greatness and ginger to write one last chapter for im fine career. For Milan fans, im arrival na hope for better days, mixing experience with ambition. For Modrić, na chance to show say age na just number for player wey get talent wey no dey fade.