Luka Modric on Thursday announced he is leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season having spent over a decade at the club. One of the first people to react was Cristiano Ronaldo, Modric’s former teammate and close friend. Modric posted a goodbye message to fans on Instagram, thanking them for their support over the last decade.
But what caught everyone’s attention was Cristiano Ronaldo’s touching comment. Modric's former teammate wrote, “Thanks for everything, Luka It was an honor to share so many moments with you at the club. Wishing you all the best in what’s to come!”
Earlier Modric posted message on Instagram which read, "The time has come. The moment I never wanted to come, but that's football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end... On Saturday I will play my last match at the Santiago Bernabéu.
I arrived in 2012 with the desire to wear the shirt of the best team in the world and with the ambition to do big things, but I couldn't imagine what came next. Playing for Real Madrid changed my life as a football player and as a person.I am proud to have been part of one of the most successful eras of the best club in history.
I want to thank the club from the bottom of my heart, especially the president Florentino Perez, my teammates, coaches and all the people who have helped me during all this time.
Throughout these years I've experienced incredible moments, comebacks that seemed impossible, finals, celebrations and magical nights at the Bernabéu... We won everything and I was very happy. Very very happy.
But beyond the titles and victories, I carry in my heart the affection of all Madrid fans. I really don't know how to explain the special connection I have with you and how supported, respected and loved I have felt and feel. I will never forget each ovation and all the gestures of affection you have shown me.
Leaving with a full heart. Filled with pride, gratitude and unforgettable memories. And even though, after the Club World Cup, I'm no longer going to wear this shirt on the field, I'll always be a Madrid fan. We'll see each other again. Real Madrid will always be my home For a lifetime. Hala Madrid and Nothing Else
History of Ronaldo and Modric at Real Madrid
From August 2012 to July 2018, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo played side by side at Real Madrid, forming one of the most successful partnerships in the club’s history. During their six years together, they won 15 major trophies. On the international stage, they helped Real Madrid win four UEFA Champions League titles (2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18), creating a true dynasty in European football. They also claimed three UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups, firmly establishing Real Madrid as the best team in the world at the time.
In domestic competitions, the duo won La Liga in the 2016-17 season—Modric’s only league title with Ronaldo, who had already won one in 2011-12. They also celebrated a Copa del Rey victory in 2013-14, with Modric playing a crucial role in midfield, and lifted the Spanish Super Cup in 2017. Modric made his Real Madrid debut in the 2012 Super Cup, just days after signing for the club, starting a golden era alongside Ronaldo.
