A Bitter Farewell: Luka Modrić Bows Out After Final Appearance for Real Madrid
It wasn't the ending he had dreamed of. In what turned out to be his final appearance in the iconic white shirt of Real Madrid, legendary Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić played the last 25 minutes of a tough 0-4 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final.
Modrić entered the match in the 64th minute, replacing English star Jude Bellingham. His contract with Los Blancos had officially expired on June 30 but was extended by two weeks to allow him to participate in the Club World Cup—a final act of loyalty to a club he served for over a decade.
Across 13 magnificent seasons with Real Madrid, Luka Modrić made a staggering 597 appearances, lifting numerous trophies and leaving an indelible mark on the club's golden era. From Ballon d'Or triumphs to Champions League glory, his name is etched in Real Madrid history.
