Real Madrid confirm one-year contract extension for new club captain Luka Modric

The Croatian is going nowhere and will lead Los Blancos this upcoming season.

15-time UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid have confirmed a one-year contract extension for their legendary midfielder Luka Modric until the summer of 2025, bringing his stay at the club to a whopping 13 years at the end of the current deal.

Along with his contract extension, Modric was also announced as Real Madrid’s club captain for the upcoming 2024–25 season, following the departure of Nacho Fernandez to Saudi Pro League team Al-Qadsiah and Toni Kroos’ retirement from football at the end of Euro 2024.

The 38-year-old midfield maestro enjoyed an incredible 2023–24 club campaign, where he made 46 appearances across all competitions, registering two goals and eight assists in the process. He played an instrumental role in helping Los Blancos clinch LaLiga, the Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Champions League titles.

However, at Euro 2024, Modric’s Croatia were placed in the ‘Group of Death’ alongside eventual champions Spain and the last edition’s winners Italy. They failed to make it out of the group. Captain Luka Modric started all three group games and even scored a goal against Italy.

Following Croatia’s exit, Modric was seen in tears, as it could potentially be his last international tournament for his country. He is the most-capped player in his nation’s history with 178 appearances, in which he scored 26 goals.

Just like his former teammate Toni Kroos, Luka Modric reiterated his desire to retire from football at the highest level, which meant doing so after representing the most decorated club in football history, Real Madrid.

Despite lucrative offers from teams in the Saudi Pro League and the MLS, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder pledged his loyalty to his dream club with a contract extension this summer.

Even superstar signing Kylian Mbappe decided to take the vacant No. 9 shirt instead of his preferred No. 10 jersey out of respect for the Croatian and Real Madrid legend.

With over 500 appearances for Real Madrid, which includes winning four LaLiga, six Champions League titles, two Spanish Cups, five Spanish Super Cups, four UEFA Super Cups, five Club World Cups and one Ballon d’Or award, Luka Modric has already cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats of the sport.

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