Luka Modric played his final game for Real Madrid on Wednesday, ending his legendary career at the Spanish club with a tough 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals. But Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso says the defeat does not change Modric’s legacy.
“This is not the desired end, it’s a bitter end. But he won’t be remembered for today’s game but for other great ones. He’s a legend of world football and of Real Madrid,” Alonso told reporters after the match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The 39-year-old Croatian midfielder is now set to join Italian club AC Milan. Modric joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012. Since then, he played 597 games and won 28 trophies, including six UEFA Champions League titles.
Modric also won the Ballon d’Or in 2018 and became Real Madrid’s most decorated player.
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Alonso, who once played alongside Modric at Real, said the midfielder’s greatness will not be forgotten.
“He’ll be remembered for many more good things than for the 25 minutes he played today,” Alonso added.
Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also praised Modric.
“Modric always gets a standing ovation, not only from the Madridistas. He’s a great player, a great teammate and we’ll miss him,” Courtois said