Luka Modric bids goodbye to Real Madrid after FIFA Club World Cup exit-OxBig News Network

It wasn’t the fairytale ending Luka Modric might have imagined, but it was emotional all the same. As Real Madrid suffered a heavy 4–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final on July 10, the night became less about the result and more about the quiet farewell of one of the club’s all-time greats.

PSG were dominant from the start, racing to a 3–0 lead inside 24 minutes thanks to goals from Fabian Ruiz and Ousmane Dembele. Goncalo Ramos added a fourth late on to wrap things up. But even as Real Madrid struggled on the pitch, all eyes turned to the bench—and to Luka Modric.

The 39-year-old came on in the 64th minute, with the game already out of reach. Still, in typical Modric fashion, he barely put a foot wrong. Calm on the ball, sharp with his passes, and leading set-pieces with precision—it was a short but classy cameo, just like so many others in his incredible career.

This was his final appearance in a Real Madrid shirt. He’d already had a formal farewell at the Bernabeu in May, but this was the real goodbye on the field. Teammates and even PSG players embraced him after the final whistle, with an emotional moment shared with manager Xabi Alonso, his former midfield partner.

Modric featured in every Club World Cup match off the bench, playing limited minutes but still bringing his experience and leadership to the squad. Even at 39, his impact was clear.

Nearly 600 matches, 28 trophies, and 13 years at the club—it’s been some ride. Luka Modric might not have ended his Real Madrid journey with one last trophy, but he walked off the pitch with everything that truly matters: respect, love, and a legacy few can match.

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