In a significant development, Real Madrid has announced that veteran midfielder Luka Modric has extended his contract with the club for another season until June 2024. Despite enticing offers from Saudi Arabia, Modric, 37, has chosen to remain with the Spanish giants, highlighting his unwavering loyalty.
Modric’s decision to renew his deal comes as a relief to Real Madrid, who value his exceptional skills and experience on the field. The Croatian maestro, who has been an integral part of the team, attracted considerable attention from Saudi Arabian clubs as his previous contract was set to expire this month.
This renewal puts Modric in the company of fellow teammates Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos, and Nacho Fernandez, all of whom have also recently extended their contracts with Madrid this summer.
Real Madrid released a statement expressing their admiration for Modric’s contributions, saying, “In his 11 seasons defending our shirt, he has played 488 games and won 23 trophies.” His remarkable achievements include capturing the UEFA Champions League title on five occasions since joining Madrid in 2012 from Tottenham. Additionally, Modric has clinched the La Liga championship three times and secured two Copas del Rey during his tenure.
Approaching his 38th birthday in September, the winner of the prestigious 2018 Ballon d’Or will face fierce competition at the Santiago Bernabeu next season. Madrid recently made a noteworthy signing by acquiring England international Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund for a staggering fee exceeding 100 million euros ($109 million). With the likes of Kroos, Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Fede Valverde also vying for positions, Modric will need to maintain his high standards to retain his spot in the starting lineup.
During Bellingham’s official presentation, the young Englishman expressed his excitement about the prospect of learning from the likes of Modric and Kroos, acknowledging their status as exceptional midfielders.
While Modric’s commitment to Real Madrid is certain, his future involvement in international football remains uncertain. Following Croatia’s second-place finish in the Nations League, there were rumors of his potential retirement from international duties. However, Modric has yet to make an official announcement regarding his plans, leaving fans eagerly awaiting whether he will continue playing until the 2024 European Championship next summer.
As Real Madrid secures the services of Luka Modric for another season, the club’s supporters can look forward to witnessing the midfield maestro weave his magic on the field once again, contributing to their pursuit of further glory in domestic and European competitions.
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