'end Of An Era' - Modric Plays Last Game For Real Madrid

It's each complete for Luka Modric astatine Real Madrid.

After 597 appearances, 28 trophies and 13 years, nan 39-year-old Croat has played his past crippled for Real.

And, while Wednesday's thrashing by Paris St-Germain successful nan Club World Cup semi-final proved an unforgettable finale, Modric's profession for nan Spanish giants will ne'er beryllium forgotten.

The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner's Real Madrid trophies see six Champions Leagues and 4 home titles, since joining Real from Spurs successful 2012.

"The infinitesimal has arrived. The infinitesimal I ne'er wanted to come, but that's football, and successful life everything has a opening and an end," Modric said connected Instagram erstwhile his exit was announced.

"I arrived successful 2012 pinch nan dream of wearing nan jersey of nan champion squad successful nan world and nan ambition to do awesome things, but I couldn't person imagined what came next," he said.

"Playing for Real Madrid changed my life arsenic a footballer and arsenic a person.

"I'm proud to person been portion of 1 of nan astir successful eras of nan champion nine successful history."

Modric, who will play for AC Milan adjacent season, bagged 2 goals and six assists successful 34 appearances successful nan Spanish apical formation this play arsenic Real were pipped to nan title by Barcelona.

He besides featured successful each crippled arsenic Carlo Ancelotti's broadside reached nan quarter-finals of nan Champions League, wherever they were beaten 5-1 connected aggregate by Arsenal.

Modric signed a one-year statement hold past year, which expired astatine nan extremity of nan Club World Cup.

Although he has been mostly constricted to substitute appearances this season, Modric will time off Real arsenic its astir dressed up subordinate aft 597 appearances, 43 goals and 95 assists.

"Modric will everlastingly stay successful nan hearts of each Madridistas arsenic a unsocial and exemplary footballer who has ever embodied nan values of Real Madrid," said nine president Florentino Perez aft his departure was announced successful June.

"His shot has captured nan imagination of Madridismo and fans each complete nan world. His bequest will unrecorded connected forever."

Modric captained Real to 2 trophies successful his last play to return his haul to 28 titles, overtaking Nacho Fernandez arsenic nan club's astir successful player.

In summation to nan half-dozen Champions League titles, location are six Fifa Club World Cups, 5 European Super Cups, 4 La Liga titles, 2 Copa del Rey triumphs and 5 Spanish Super Cups during his 13 seasons astatine Real.

After starring Real to a 2018 Champions League occurrence complete Liverpool and past Croatia to nan World Cup last successful nan aforesaid year, Modric became nan first subordinate different than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to triumph nan Ballon d'Or since 2007.

He is besides nan oldest subordinate to correspond Los Blancos successful La Liga and their oldest goalscorer, having scored successful a 2-1 triumph complete Valencia astatine nan property of 39 years and 116 days, overtaking Ferenc Puskas' mark.

Modric is besides presently nan 3rd longest-serving personnel of a Spanish top-flight side, down Oscar de Marcos of Athletic Club and Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke.

Last month, nan Croatia fable became an "investor and co-owner" pinch a number liking successful Championship broadside Swansea City.

Although Modric has been playing little than he has done for astir of his Real Madrid career, he is nan benignant of subordinate that tin impact things because he becomes a magnet for nan team.

He whitethorn person felt he was being useful astatine immoderate points, but shot is heading successful a different guidance now - you request to screen a batch of crushed for instance. Look astatine Pedri who is nan number 1 retriever of possession astatine Barcelona and runs much than anybody else. Modric can't do that anymore.

He has been nan 1 who has been pushing to enactment put but Real had doubts. They listened to nan player, nan fans, publication nan room and felt it wasn't clip yet. But everybody was prepared for his departure.

Modric, however, has been an exemplary professional.

Perhaps his astir difficult clip was erstwhile Carlo Ancelotti told him and Toni Kroos that he was going to alteration things and nan nine had decided to spell for a much beingness and move midfield pinch Aurelien Tchouameni, Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga.

Kroos managed to move things astir and became a very important portion of nan team, but Modric had a shape connected nan bench.

During nan past mates of years, his business has near him a spot uneasy. He didn't cognize wherever he stood. He felt he could play 90 minutes much often. It was a nightmare for him but this season, he has understood his domiciled amended and has been their leader.

But ultimately, this will person been a determination taken by nan club. Xabi Alonso would person agreed to it but it's a nine decision, first of all. The measurement Alonso's teams play requires a batch of effort which he cannot inquire of Modric.

It besides feels for illustration nan extremity of an era.

There is simply a caller civilization that has to beryllium group for this team. Ancelotti has struggled pinch nan fractions and egos successful nan squad and by getting Modric out, you tin build for caller leaders - and that mightiness beryllium Real's thinking.