Frank Christian
Luka Modric, the captain of Real Madrid, is set to conclude his 13-year tenure with the club this summer.
The 39-year-old midfielder has been a key figure in the club’s achievements since joining from Tottenham in 2012, making 590 appearances for the team.
This impressive record positions him ninth in the club’s history, while he has secured four La Liga titles and six UEFA Champions League victories throughout his career in Madrid.
Modric had indicated a desire to continue playing at Real Madrid past his 40th birthday in September, as part of a longstanding contract renewal dialogue with club president Florentino Perez.
The former Spurs player embodies Real Madrid’s well-known policy of providing one-year deals to players over 30, having signed several such contracts during his time.
While there was interest from both sides for an additional year together as Modric aims to represent Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer, recent announcements confirm a shift in direction.
A recent report from Cadena COPE highlights the club’s intention to embark on a new chapter following Modric’s exit on a free transfer, coinciding with Carlo Ancelotti’s departure at the end of May. Despite Xabi Alonso, the new coach, expressing a desire for Modric to remain, the decision seems to be final.
This change signifies a loss of both experience and skill in the midfield, as Alonso now seeks to appoint a new leader for the team.
Who will lead Real Madrid in 2025/26?
Real Madrid, like other teams in La Liga, typically has a ‘team of captains’ where one main leader is supported by other senior players.
Modric took over as club captain last summer after Nacho Fernandez moved to Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League, with Dani Carvajal named as ‘second captain’ and Lucas Vazquez along with Fede Valverde filling the third and fourth spots.
With Modric not consistently starting, captaincy has rotated during the 2024/25 season, with both him and Vazquez making 16 appearances in La Liga, while Carvajal has missed much of the season due to injuries.
Vinicius Junior and Thibaut Courtois have also captained the side in the Copa del Rey and Champions League matches, but Alonso’s strategy for Carvajal in 2025/26 will be pivotal.
Carvajal has dismissed rumors of immediately giving up his spot to Trent Alexander-Arnold and will participate in the Club World Cup in June, marking the conclusion of Modric’s time at Real Madrid.
During his tenure at Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso had Lukas Hradecky as captain, so Courtois could be considered for the role as well.
Nonetheless, Carvajal appears to be the leading candidate for the captaincy, while many fans view Valverde as an emerging leader, a role he has already taken with his national team.
A joint captaincy arrangement between Carvajal and Valverde could be a solid approach for Alonso as Modric departs from the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Updates and Related News about Real Madrid
- A Real Madrid player anticipates Xabi Alonso’s success as the new coach following Carlo Ancelotti.
- Real Madrid is poised to compete with Arsenal for a €58m transfer target.
- Real Madrid faces a setback with Jude Bellingham’s injury ahead of the 2025/26 season.
