BREAKING: Luka Modric signs contract extension with Real Madrid
Veteran midfielder Luka Modric has signed a one-year contract extension with Real Madrid. The 38-year-old is now set to be at the Santiago Bernabeu till June 30, 2025.
Modric, one of the best midfielders of his generation, has been a key first-team player for Los Blancos since his arrival from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2012.
With his previous contract expiring at the end of last month as Modric turned up for Croatia at Euro 2024, his Los Blancos future appeared uncertain. However, the club announced on their website on Wednesday (July 17) in an official statement that Modric would be with them for another year:
"Real Madrid CF and Luka Modrić have agreed to extend the contract of our captain, who remains tied to the club until June 30, 2025."
In 12 seasons with Madrid, Modric has contributed 39 goals and 86 assists in 534 games across competitions, winning 26 titles. They include a record six UEFA Champions League and four La Liga titles among numerous domestic and continental honours.
The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner has also turned up a record 178 times for Croatia, contributing 26 goals and 29 assists.
How Real Madrid legend Luka Modric fared at Euro 2024?
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric had an underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign - scoring once in three games - as Croatia crashed out in the group stage after failing to finish among the four best third-placed teams.
The 38-year-old opened the scoring against defending champions Italy in the final group game, which made him the oldest scorer in European Championship history. Croatia were on course to finish second in the group, behind eventual winners Spain, and reach the knockouts.
However, the Azzurri bagged a last-gasp equaliser through Mattia Zaccagni in the eighth minute of stoppage time to finish second. Modric and Co. needed a near improbable sequence of results to finish among the four best third-placed teams, which eventually didn't happen.
Modric was the Man of the Match in the game, but he was expectedly far from happy, as his team were on the cusp of elimination after conceding the late goal.