Luka Modric, the legendary Croatian midfielder, has ended his long and successful stay at Real Madrid. After 13 years filled with trophies — a total of 28 — he is leaving Santiago Bernabéu, but he has not yet decided to retire from professional football.
Currently, two clubs are leading the race to sign him: Inter Miami from the American MLS and Al-Nassr from Saudi Arabia. On one side is Lionel Messi’s club, which offers Modric a chance to play in a growing league and in a country that will host the 2026 World Cup.
On the other side is Cristiano Ronaldo’s club, ready to make a strong financial offer and provide him with a key role in the squad.
The Croatian star’s main motivation is maintaining form and preparation for the World Cup, which will take place next year in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Modric wants to be part of this major event with Croatia, and his choice of a new club is expected to be closely linked to this goal.
Inter Miami would be a natural choice for a peaceful end to his career, where Modric would play alongside big names in a comfortable environment, with significant marketing impact.
On the other hand, Al-Nassr is building an ambitious project and has shown a willingness to invest in European football stars, with Modric as another high-profile name.
His decision for the future is expected soon, and it remains to be seen whether he will reunite with Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia or follow Messi’s path to the U.S.