Real Madrid has a final game against Real Sociedad this season to say goodbye to their fans at the Santiago Bernabeu, and indeed to Carlo Ancelotti, but the reality is that they have been in planning mode for the next season for some time. However, the future of Luka Modric looks like it is about to take a dramatic U-turn.
The Croatian legend, at the age of 39, was mentioned this summer in the likely outputs, ended with his contract and the club that is not convinced because of its usefulness next season. One of a number of veterans that Real Madrid has doubts about, including Lucas Vazquez, who probably seems to end his time in the club this summer, Modric was grouped with Vazquez on the exit list.
According to Radiomarca, however, incoming manager Xabi Alonso Los Blancos will change ideas about Modric. The experienced midfielder always wanted to stay, and last summer it was set his sights on traveling to the 2026 World Cup with Croatia as a Real Madrid player.
Their information is that the renewal of Modric was an explicit desire of Alonso, who appreciates his experience, leadership and role in the dressing room. Modric will be 40 in September, and is already the oldest player of Real Madrid ever, and the oldest goal scorer ever, who promises Ferenc Puskas this season.
Modric is one of the seven options that Real Madrid has that can play centrally in midfield, excluding Brahim Diaz. Dani Ceballos and Eduardo Camavinga are confronted with uncertain futures, while Jude Bellingham is said to return to a deeper role next season. Fede Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni look like competitions, while Arda Guler will continue his development. Los Blancos has four midfield options on their shortlist that have been revealed so far.