Real Madrid veteran not thinking about retirement, could play until 2026 World Cup

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Madrid Universal

·22 mai 2024

Real Madrid veteran not thinking about retirement, could play until 2026 World Cup

Real Madrid fans and players alike were dealt a massive blow this week as Toni Kroos announced his retirement from professional football.

The midfielder will retire after the end of the European Championship this summer, meaning the upcoming UCL final against Borussia Dortmund will be his last game as a Real Madrid player.

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The sudden news of Kroos’ departure has now led to uncertainty over the future of Luka Modric as well, with recent reports suggesting that the veteran midfielder is also considering retirement.

No retirement plans for Modric

However, a recent report from Jose Felix Diaz has offered a fresh update on Modric. The Spanish journalist claims that the Real Madrid midfielder has no plans to retire just yet.

In fact, Modric has never considered the possibility of retiring, at least for now. Despite being 38, the Croatian international has remained one of Real Madrid’s most important players and may play a key role in the upcoming UCL final.

Modric has no plans to retire early (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Modric’s services will also be critical for the Croatia team, with their head coach already confirming that he will use the veteran in almost every match.

Modric plans to play 2026 FIFA World Cup

Unlike Kroos, Modric’s footballing chapter will not end after the conclusion of the upcoming European Championship in Germany.

The report, in fact, adds that Modric has plans to play the next FIFA World Cup, which will be held in 2026. He will be close at the time.

The 2026 World Cup will be Modric’s fifth World Cup participation, in a flourishing career that saw him feature 174 times for the Croatian national team.

It could well have been his sixth if Croatia hadn’t failed in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

As for Real Madrid, Modric’s desire to continue should bode well for the management, as they desperately look to retain the services of the veteran midfielder beyond the coming summer.