The "no, no and no" of Luka Modric to the millionaire insistence of Arabia
“Luka doesn't care about money”. In the Ciudad Deportiva de Valdebebas, from the offices to the pitch, there is absolute devotion to Luka Modric. Managers, coaches and colleagues adore a footballer who came as a complement to other stars and has become a Real Madrid legend. So much so that he has total freedom to decide when to step aside and leave the white team. A step that until now he has not wanted to take despite constant offers from the Saudi Arabian government and that still keeps him at the Santiago Bernabéu, closer to his 12th season in Chamartín than to packing his bags for the East.
Modric, who tonight plays the semifinal of the League of Nations against the Netherlands (20:45, La1), wants to stay one more season in Madrid and has let the club know, which has extended his contract until 2024 , as he did with Benzema. And you already know the final destination of the French…
The Croatian wants to play in the new Bernabéu, he wants to continue being the link between Madrid, winner of five Champions Leagues, and the new generation led by Vinicius, he wants to continue being the “father” of promises like Rodrygo and the teacher of young midfielders like Bellingham, signed a few days ago for 103 million. He knows that the competition will be criminal with the continuity of Kroos, the explosion of Valverde and Camavinga, the need to give Tchouaméni minutes, the technical direction's commitment to English and the hypothetical renewal of Ceballos, but he wants to continue for another year. He is not afraid of young people, on the contrary.
“I have taken a decision”
Modric, for the moment, does not care about money, as Valdebebas insists, and he has passed by the 60 million net that Saudi football has put on his table time and time again. Since February, in a piece of news reported by EL MUNDO, the Arab federation has maintained similar conditions to those that were initially offered to Benzema. Salary of 30 million net for each of the two seasons, without taxes, with image rights for him and with the possibility of choosing the city and team in which to settle. “No, no and no”, has been the response of Modric, who will turn 38 in September.
If at some point he changes his mind, the doors of the Bernabéu will open for him in the same way that they opened for Benzema's wish, although the Frenchman's contract, like that of the Croatian, will also end in June 2024.. His relationship with Florentino is exceptional and it will continue to be so no matter what happens and ends when his stage ends.
Meanwhile, this week he returns to his little hobby, something that torments Madrid a bit but that continues to be his natural habitat: captaining the Croatian team. The World Cup in Qatar seemed like the end of his era in the national team, but the midfielder has decided to continue defending his country until the next European Championship. First, the Final Four of the League of Nations, where they could face Spain in a hypothetical final. Later, a Euro in Germany that he would reach on the way to 39 years of age. “I have made a decision, but we will talk about it when the League of Nations ends,” he said yesterday.. Arabia insists, and insists, and insists…