Transfer Centre

Luka Modric 'must retire from international football for new Real Madrid deal'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 08 February 2023

Real Madrid reportedly tell Luka Modric that he must retire from international football if he wants a contract extension beyond the end of the season.

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has reportedly been told that he will have to retire from international football if he wants to sign a new Blancos contract.

Despite his advancing years, the 37-year-old remains one of Carlo Ancelotti's most integral performers and has played a key role for the Spanish and European champions again this season.

Modric has five goals and three assists to show from 27 matches across all tournaments in the 2022-23 campaign, and he shone for Croatia during their run to the bronze medal at the World Cup.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man is now in the final six months of his deal with Real Madrid, but the Santiago Bernabeu giants have been widely expected to hand him a renewal before the end of the season.

However, German outlet OneFootball - via Sportske - claims that Real Madrid have issued an ultimatum to Modric, who must end his time in the national team to stay at the club.

Luka Modric celebrates scoring for Real Madrid on November 2, 2022 © Reuters

Ancelotti was reportedly confident that Modric would hang up his international boots following the World Cup, but another podium finish for Croatia has led to the midfielder having a change of heart.

Modric confirmed to beIN Sports after Croatia's third-placed playoff win over Morocco that he would continue for the upcoming Nations League, and he left the door open to competing at Euro 2024.

"This medal is very important for us, for me, for my country, for Croatia as a national team," the Real Madrid man said. "We confirm with this medal that Croatia is playing an important role in world of football. We are leaving Qatar as winners.

"About my future? I don't know if I will be in Germany, I have to go step by step. I am enjoying the national team, I feel happy.

"I still think I can perform on a high level and I want to continue until the Nations League, then after there will be more time to think about the Euros. Now it is step by step by step and continue until least the Nations League and after we will see."

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric on March 9, 2022 © Reuters

While both Real Madrid and Modric are keen to prolong their partnership, the midfielder's retirement from the national team has reportedly been made a non-negotiable for him to pen an extension.

The midfielder is Croatia's most-capped player of all time with 162 appearances, and 23 goals also puts him fifth on their all-time scoring list behind Davor Suker, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic and Eduardo da Silva.

Winner of the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup, where Croatia lost to France in the final, Modric has amassed a total of 36 goals and 74 assists in 463 matches for Real Madrid since leaving Spurs in 2012.

As well as Modric, Real Madrid could also lose Toni Kroos on a free transfer at the end of the season, although Ancelotti is confident that the German will sign a new deal.

Los Blancos are still keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham in the event that one or both of Modric and Kroos leave, but a separate report claimed that Real expect the 19-year-old to end up in the Premier League.