Real Madrid News
Luka Modric faces major career decision after World Cup exit as Real Madrid monitor situation
Croatia’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup last night has brought Real Madrid legend Luka Modric’s future back into focus, with the veteran midfielder now expected to decide what comes next in his career.
The 40-year-old had postponed any decision until after the tournament, but with Croatia’s campaign now over, he must choose whether to remain at AC Milan, begin a new chapter elsewhere, or retire from professional football.
And, as per Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid are closely monitoring the situation as they are open to the idea of bringing Modric back to the club if he announces his retirement.
AC Milan situation has changed
Several factors will influence Modric’s decision, and not all of them favour staying at AC Milan.
The Rossoneri failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League, while significant changes have taken place behind the scenes. Head coach Massimiliano Allegri, sporting director Igli Tare and technical director Geoffrey Moncada have all departed.
Modric enjoyed a strong relationship with that group, making their exits another factor in his decision-making.
Milan have appointed Ruben Amorim as their new coach, but the club’s sporting structure remains incomplete after Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche rejected an initial approach from the Italian side.
Several options on the table
Modric now has several possible paths to consider. The first is to remain at Milan and complete a second season with the club before potentially retiring in June 2027.
Another possibility is ending his time in Italy and pursuing one final challenge in another league.
Retirement is also under consideration, with Modric approaching his 41st birthday in less than two months.
Should he decide to end his playing career, the veteran midfielder could remain in football. One option would see him join Milan’s sporting structure.
Another possibility is a return to Real Madrid in a sporting or technical role, particularly following Jose Mourinho’s return to the club.
Mourinho was the coach who signed Modric for Madrid in the summer of 2012, and the two continue to share a strong relationship.
With the World Cup now behind him, the Croatian legend must decide whether to continue playing, embark on a new adventure or begin the next chapter of his career away from the pitch.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
