Luka Modric has agreed a new one-year Real Madrid contract to keep him at the club until 2025.
The 38-year-old has accepted a lower salary as part of his new deal after taking on more of a secondary role at the club this season.
The Athletic reported in May Real Madrid had begun talks with Modric over a new deal after revealing the club were considering renewing the contracts of the Crotian international and his teammate Toni Kroos for the first time this season. Kroos, however, subsequently announced he would be retiring from professional football after Euro 2024.
Until then, it had been expected that at least one of the two midfielders would leave, with Modric the likeliest candidate as he turns 39 in September and his role has decreased this season. The player himself was not confident on remaining at the club even though his priority was to stay.
Modric’s salary had been among the highest in the squad but his new contract will see this reduce, after he made it clear early on in discussions with president Florentino Perez and CEO Jose Angel Sanchez that the money was not important, with his priority to continue making history at Madrid.
Since moving to Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, Modric has won 26 trophies, the joint most in the club’s history alongside Nacho, surpassing Karim Benzema and Marcelo after Saturday’s Champions League final victory. His ambition is to become the most decorated player in Madrid’s history. An announcement on Nacho’s future, meanwhile, is expected imminently.
Modric also aims to surpass Paco Gento’s record of six Champions League tittles, won between 1955 and 1966, something he can achieve alongside Dani Carvajal, and Nacho if he were to change his mind and renew. Modric has already become the oldest player to represent Madrid in La Liga, surpassing the record previously held by Ferenc Puskas.
The midfielder has still featured 45 times in all competitions this season but has been utilised more as a substitute, with 14 of his 32 La Liga appearances coming from the bench. Despite playing more of a secondary role, his professionalism and competitiveness have remained hugely valued by those around the team.
He made clear in discussions with Perez and Sanchez that he had begun to accept this secondary role during the season. Carlo Ancelotti was also keen for Modric to stay.
Madrid finished the 2023-24 season with a 36th La Liga title and won the Champions League after victory over Borussia Dortmund in the final, with Modric introduced as an 85th minute substitute. They also won the Spanish Super Cup in January, beating Barcelona 4-1 in the final.
(Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images)
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