ไทย
English
中國人
Luka Modrić has opened up about his intentions to return to Spain after hanging up his boots, expressing a desire to come back to Real Madrid in some form.
During the summer of 2025, the creative midfielder departed the Bernabéu as the most trophy-laden player in the club's history (28 titles, including six Champions League medals), following 13 years of service.
Rather than calling it quits, the 40-year-old opted to continue playing in Italy with AC Milan and was even honored in the 2025–26 Serie A Team of the Year at the Gran Galà del Calcio on Wednesday.
The 2018 Ballon d'Or recipient is contracted with Milan through next summer, by which point he will be approaching his 42nd birthday, yet has no immediate plans to retire.
Modric's Madrid Return Wish
In a conversation with Spanish outlet MARCA, Modrić disclosed that when he eventually does retire, he intends to relocate back to Madrid—a city he openly misses and still considers "home."
When asked about the prospect of one day joining the club in an off-field role, Modrić was straightforward: "I hope so. I'd like to. If I'm honest, I don't have to hide it. Madrid is my home, and of course I'd like to return someday. But we'll see how and in what role, if that happens.
"I don't want to come back just for the sake of it and simply be present without purpose. That's not who I am. I want to be useful, I want to contribute to Real Madrid. Not just be there without knowing why I'm there.
"This is my mindset and my way of thinking. Because Real Madrid has given me everything, so much, and I believe I would only return to do something meaningful, to do things properly and to work not just at Real Madrid, but for Real Madrid.
"But let's see. It's my home, I'm a Real Madrid supporter now and always will be. To be honest, of course I'd like to. But we'll see what life has in store—you never know.
"My plan is to go back to Madrid and live there, but you know how things unfold. You can never say anything with certainty. But I hope, I truly hope it happens."
Mourinho Pivotal in Modrić Transfer
Modrić made the move to Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur for $40 million in the summer of 2012—during José Mourinho's first stint as head coach.
The Croatian struggled early on to find his footing in La Liga and was even voted the worst signing of the season (also by MARCA). Mourinho departed the following summer, while Modrić went on to flourish under Carlo Ancelotti and later Zinedine Zidane.
Nevertheless, despite sharing only one turbulent season together, Modrić credits Mourinho with being instrumental in securing his move to the club.
"I think Mourinho was the most crucial factor in my arrival, because he did everything, absolutely everything in his power to make me the signing of that summer," Modrić revealed.
"Negotiations with Tottenham were far from straightforward. They were difficult and drawn out. And had Mourinho not been so determined, perhaps Real Madrid would have walked away from the talks. But he was relentless and he wanted me. That's why I consider him the most important factor.
"The only regret was that I only got to work with him for just over a year. But that's football. I learned a great deal during that time, but I would have loved to have worked with him for longer."
When the interviewer suggested he could still return as a player during Mourinho's second spell, Modrić responded simply: "It's too late [laughs]."