Luka Modric bid farewell to Real Madrid

Luka Modric has finally decided to call a timeout on his illustrious Real Madrid career after the end of the Club World Cup campaign this season.

The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner will play his last match in front of the home fans at the Bernabeu when they welcome Real Sociedad on Saturday in their final La Liga game of the season.

Modric became the first player since 2007, other than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, to win the Ballon d’Or.

The 39-year-old who joined Madrid from current Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur in 20212, has won 28 trophies, including six Champions Leagues and four domestic titles during his time with the Spanish giants.

The milestone overtakes Nacho Fernandez as the club’s most successful player.

Despite being limited to substitute appearances this season, Modric will leave Real as its most decorated player after 590 appearances, bagging 43 goals and providing 95 assists.

In an emotional letter to Los Blancos fans and the football world, the Croatian midfield “magician” confirmed his departure via his Instagram page, and the same has been corroborated by the club, saying:

“The moment has arrived. The moment I never wanted to come, but that’s football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end,” Modric said on Instagram.

“I arrived in 2012 with the hope of wearing the jersey of the best team in the world and the ambition to do great things, but I couldn’t have imagined what came next,” he said.

“Playing for Real Madrid changed my life as a footballer and as a person.

“I’m proud to have been part of one of the most successful eras of the best club in history.”

Madrid will open their Club World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal on 18 June and later face Mexico’s Pachuca and finish it off against RB Salzburg of Austria in the group stage.

The Croatian international scored two goals and provided six assists in 34 appearances in La Liga this season as Real were beaten to the title by arch-rival Barcelona.

Modric signed a one-year contract extension last year, which expires at the end of this campaign.