Luka Modric intends to make Madrid his permanent home when his playing career ends. The Croatian midfielder, currently in Milan, told MARCA that the Spanish capital remains central to his life and that he misses the city where he spent 13 years at Real Madrid.
Speaking at Milanello, Modric explained that his bond with Madrid extends well beyond football. His children were born there and identify as Madrid-born, sharing his attachment to the city. Those family ties, developed during a lengthy spell at Real Madrid, are the principal reason he expects to return once he stops playing.
Family roots and future plans
Modric spent 13 years at Real Madrid, a period he described as formative for both himself and his family. He made clear that his wish to settle in Madrid is a personal life choice rather than an imminent playing return or a specific job at the club. He offered no timetable for the move and did not identify any particular role he might take.
The interview framed the idea as a deeply held personal plan rather than a formal announcement. Modric’s comments centred on the personal significance of the city to him and his children, with the practical details left open.
Current life in Milan
For now, Modric’s attention remains firmly on his current chapter in Italy. He is training and competing regularly in Milan, where MARCA found him relaxed and content in his new chapter. The veteran emphasised that he still approaches the game with the same enthusiasm he had as a boy in Zadar.
A veteran’s view on longevity
Modric also offered his perspective on how experienced players should be judged. He believes veterans ought to be assessed by their on-pitch output rather than by their age. He revealed he has not missed a week of training since he was six years old, pointing to that long-standing routine as a key reason he remains able to compete at this level.
He likewise highlighted the importance of friendships he has maintained since the age of six, suggesting those relationships have helped sustain his outlook throughout his career. That combination of routine, personal care and enjoyment continues to define his approach.
While Milan is his present, Modric’s interview leaves little doubt that Madrid is where he sees his long-term future. The prospect of returning to the city where he spent 13 formative years appears firmly fixed in his plans, even if the exact timing remains open.