At 39 years old, Luka Modrić continues to rewrite football’s aging narrative. Real Madrid announced a contract extension for the Croatian legend through June 2026 – making him the club’s oldest active player while maintaining his status as a midfield linchpin. The deal comes days after Modrić scored a stunning goal against Girona on February 23, 2025, showcasing his enduring technical mastery.
Modrić has played 32 matches this season (20 starts) with 2 goals and 3 assists across competitions. His 1,419 minutes logged rank among Real Madrid’s top outfield players despite competing with younger stars like Aurélien Tchouaméni. Manager Carlo Ancelotti recently defended Modrić’s irreplaceable role: “He’s unique – a strategist who controls tempo like few in history”.
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner remains pivotal for Croatia too. He captained their UEFA Nations League runner-up campaign in 2023 and holds records as Croatia’s most-capped player (168 appearances). With Euro 2024 approaching, Modrić aims to extend his streak of playing major tournaments across three decades – a feat no other footballer has achieved.
Real Madrid’s contract gamble reflects Modrić’s fitness discipline; he maintains a lean 66 kg frame at 1.72m. His recent performances – including a Man of the Match display against Netherlands in June 2023 – prove his capacity to dominate elite matches. As Modrić told reporters: “Age is just motivation to work smarter.” With this extension, football’s eternal midfielder gets two more seasons to cement his legacy.
