Luka Modric is living his last days as a Real Madrid player. After thirteen seasons full of success, titles, and universal respect, the Croatian is preparing to close a glorious chapter. He will not continue at the club next season, his contract expires on June 30, and there will be no renewal.
Although Modric himself has expressed his desire to continue, the club's signals have been clear. His legacy is valued, but the management is betting on generational change. The decision has surprised many, but it has not been a total surprise for those who closely follow Madrid's sports policy.
A new era on the bench
The change of cycle not only affects the field but also reaches the bench. Xabi Alonso will take charge of the first team after Carlo Ancelotti's departure. The former white player, now a successful coach, arrives with new ideas and a renewing project.
His arrival marks a turning point. The club expects him to keep the focus on young talent and modern soccer. The pressure will be enormous, but Xabi knows the house, the locker room, and what the badge means and has already started making important decisions.
Cañizares direct accusation
One of those who reacted to Modric's departure was Santiago Cañizares. The former goalkeeper and current commentator did not hold back on El Partidazo at Cadena COPE. "The club decided not to renew, but Xabi Alonso also had something to do with it," he stated.
For Cañizares, Modric's farewell was not solely an institutional matter. He believes that Xabi wanted to mark his territory from the very beginning, and that meant leaving behind legends like the Croatian midfielder. It is not an easy decision, but it is consistent with a future vision.
A shared farewell
Luka Modric's departure was not the result of a single factor. The club seeks to rejuvenate the squad and free up salary space, but the influence of a new coach with his own voice is also perceived. The figure of Xabi Alonso thus appears as a key piece in this new direction.
It is not about blame or reproaches, but about a logical transition. Modric leaves as a legend, and Xabi arrives to build his legacy. These are the cycles of soccer, sometimes painful but inevitable. What is clear is that this farewell bears several signatures, and Xabi Alonso's, according to Cañizares, is also there.