Luka Modric, the seasoned Croatian midfielder and captain of his national team, has agreed to a new one-year contract with Real Madrid that will keep him at the Spanish giants until June 2024, according to The Bubrovnik Times.
The 37-year-old playmaker was at Madrid’s training complex on Tuesday to say farewell to longtime teammate Karim Benzema, who departed for Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad after 14 trophy-laden seasons.
Following Benzema’s emotional departure, Modric prepared to join his Croatian teammates for upcoming matches, including an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican and the UEFA Nations League finals in the Netherlands.
Though Madrid has yet to officially announce Modric’s contract extension, they are expected to confirm the new deal next week when they hold a press conference regarding Spanish defender Nacho Fernandez’s own extension.
Nacho, a Madrid mainstay since 2011, is poised to become the club’s next captain, though Modric will likely retain the armband when on the pitch if he maintains his place in the starting eleven.
This past season, Luka Modric featured in 52 matches under manager Carlo Ancelotti, who will oversee Madrid’s preseason preparations in the United States beginning July 10.
There, Madrid will face off against European giants AC Milan, Manchester United, Barcelona, and Juventus ahead of the new La Liga campaign in August, where they will look to wrest the title back from rivals Barcelona.
Despite turning 38 in September, Modric remains Madrid’s eldest player. He will have to fend off competition from younger talents like Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Dani Ceballos, who is also poised for a contract extension, as well as veteran midfielder Toni Kroos.
However, Madrid may sign additional midfield reinforcements this summer, with rumors linking them to 19-year-old Jude Bellingham.
Luka Modric Secures Contract Extension with Real Madrid
Since moving to the Bernabéu in 2012, Modric has amassed an incredible 23 honors. Next season, he will have the chance to surpass Benzema and former left-back Marcelo as Madrid’s most decorated player of all time.
Through passion, professionalism, and peerless playmaking, the ageless Modric has established himself as a Blancos legend and looks set to further gild his legacy as a member of Los Merengues.
