Real Madrid: Alonso decides to stay Modric

New coach Xavi Alonso explicitly supports Luca Modric to stay in the team, but the Croatian midfielder needs to accept a further salary cut to complete the contract renewal.

Alonso, who is about to officially take charge of Real Madrid's coaching, reached a consensus with the club's management: Although he is nearly 40 years old, Modric still becomes a key piece in the team's tactical system with an excellent competitive state. This season, the Croatian veteran not only ranks first in the team's number of opportunities, but also ranks among the top in core data such as passing success rate and defensive interception. His all-round performance makes him the first choice for high-quality rotation lineups next season (2025/26). Alonso's public support almost "stamped" Modric's prospects for staying in the team.

Real Madrid management clearly requires Modric to accept salary adjustments. Last summer, players have voluntarily cut their salaries by more than 50%, and this contract renewal requires another financial concession. Although multiple teams in the Saudi league have thrown their olive branches, Modric still prioritizes ending his career as a Real Madrid player - he plans to hang up his boots in the summer of 2026 and represent the Croatian national team in the World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada to realize the two ultimate professional dreams.

If you switch to Saudi Arabia, Modric may find it difficult to maintain his peak state to serve the national team. According to multiple sources, Real Madrid and Modric have entered the stage of substantive negotiations for renewal, and the two sides are expected to reach a short-term agreement. If negotiations break down, the Croatian midfielder will become a free agent after June 30. In Alonso's tactical planning, Modric's experience and leadership are still indispensable supplements to Real Madrid's midfield. The club can not only control the salary structure through salary cuts, but also retain the value of the legendary player. For Modric, staying in Real Madrid can not only realize his long-cherished wish of "finalizing the Bernabeu", but also ensure that he can go to the 2026 US-Canada-Mexico World Cup in the best condition and complete the two ultimate goals of his career.

The current situation shows that the two sides are extremely likely to renew their contracts.