Luka Modric makes decision on 13-year Real Madrid career | OneFootball

Luka Modric wants to stay at Real Madrid for one more season, it has been claimed, in a move that would extend his stay in the Spanish capital to 14 years.

The veteran midfielder has remained an important part of Carlo Ancelotti's plans, offering experience and guile to a side forced at times to field Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni in unfamiliar defensive roles due to injuries.

Modric is 39 and has already played in 45 games across all competitions during 2024/25 – only one of his 13 seasons at Real Madrid has yielded less than 40 appearances, an incredible testament to the Croatian's fitness and aversion to injuries.

The wily playmaker's contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires this summer, leading many to speculate that Modric's time as a Real Madrid player may finally be coming to an end. But Fabrizio Romano reports that the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder wants to stay for another year – the current Champions League holders are his first and only choice.

From the club's point of view, retaining Modric for another year could be exceptionally shrewd business. Tchouameni and fellow central midfielder Eduardo Camavinga have been linked with moves away, and while there's no suggestion that either of the France internationals will be allowed to leave, there's scope for a sale should Real Madrid look to cash in.

Modric's continued availability is also another major plus for Ancelotti, who has seen his defence shredded by numerous injuries this season. Eder Militao and David Alaba have both suffered – and in the latter's case recovered from – ACL injuries, while Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez have also spent time on the treatment table.

Valverde is filled in at right-back as a result, with Tchouameni spending an unhealthy amount of time plying his trade at centre-back.

One of the most decorated players in history, Modric could end the season with another double to his name. Despite some indifferent results, Real Madrid are vying with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid for a 37th La Liga crown, and they could continue their dominance of the Champions League after seeing off their neighbourhood rivals in the last 16 to book a quarter-final date with Arsenal.

Victory in both would take Modric up to 30 trophies won with Real Madrid – an incredible number that includes a record-breaking six Champions League triumphs.