Modric bids farewell to Real Madrid: ''I had never seen the President cry'' | OneFootball

Following the conclusion of the Club World Cup 2025, Luka Modric bid farewell to Real Madrid after a trophy-laden spell.

The midfielder is set to sign with AC Milan and nostalgically recalled the 13 years he spent at the service of the Spanish capital's emblem.

"It's difficult to say, but there are mixed emotions," Modric said about his feelings on leaving Real Madrid by the club's media.

"An unforgettable, glorious and victorious period has come to an end. What I've experienced makes me even happier. Remembering everything I've achieved here is something to be very happy about, even though it's coming to an end. At Real Madrid, I have grown as a player and as a person. Real Madrid has given me everything in football and for that I will be grateful for the rest of my life. I will always be a madridista."

"It has been a long journey, but an unforgettable one. I have grown a lot as a player and as a person. I have another home away from home, because Madrid and Spain are like my second home. I'm very happy and I'm sure that with time I'll be even more aware of what I've achieved, because I'm going to need some time to add up all the emotions and everything I've achieved here."

The Croatian international played 597 matches in total for Real Madrid, scoring 43 goals, assisting on 90 occasions, and leaves Madrid with 28 trophies, making him the player with the most titles won by the merengues. These numbers are a source of immense happiness for Modric.

"Listening to my stats makes me happy and proud of what I've achieved here. To be the player who has won the most titles at the greatest club in the history of football is something impressive. But it's not just that. There are other things too, like the affection of the people. I always remember that because it's something that nobody can take away from you. You can't fool people and they're not going to love you just because you play for Real Madrid, but the affection they've given me has been impressive. Better than I ever could have hoped for."

Asked about the relationship he had with Florentino Pérez, Modric revealed an aspect of his strong connection with the club's director: "The president has been very important to me, firstly because he brought me here. From that moment on, he has always shown me special affection, and he's always treated me very well. Now I can say it: he has treated me differently, he had a very special affection for me. And I think he showed it in my last match, because I had never seen the president cry before."

It is worth remembering that Luka Modric took his first steps in football in Croatia, with stints at NK Zadar and Dinamo Zagreb, before moving to Tottenham in 2008. He arrived in Spain in the 2012/13 season and the rest was history.

The experienced Croatian international won 33 titles throughout his career, including six Champions League trophies, four Spanish championships, and five European Super Cups. In 2018, he also won the Ballon d'Or. Now, at 39, he heads to Italy to represent AC Milan.