Despite there being a lot of speculations and talks of lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia, it was never in doubt that Luka Modric would sign a new contract with Real Madrid.
Eventually, that is what happened as the 37-year-old penned a one-year deal with the Merengues, prolonging his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2024.
In a recent interview with Sportske Novosti. Modric revealed how his contract renewal came about earlier this year, saying:
"There are no disputes before and after the signing of the contract. Especially not from my side. Real expressed their wish to continue in spring, I had the same wish. We sat down and quickly agreed."
"That’s how it has been with Real for 12 years and it can’t be changed. Our relationship is extraordinary."
Despite having renewed his contract, Modric has found game-time hard to come by this season, starting just one of Real Madrid’s four matches thus far.
When asked about his feelings on the matter, he said: "First of all, it’s about how both the club and me, i.e. the coach and I, had clear conversations and agreements."
"My only condition for staying was to be treated as a competitive player, as I have been so far, and not to be kept in the squad on past merits. It was my wish that all players had the same starting position and that they could fight for their place."
"Just like from the first day at Real. That belief that they can contribute to the team is solid and based on the matches. I wanted to stay and when the club and the coach said that nothing would change in my status, I signed," he added.
However, Modric did accept that he was not entirely happy with his situation but was not going to mope about the lack of game-time, saying:
"Nobody is happy when they are out of the game. After all in my career, where I’m not sure I’ve ever been on the bench for three games in a row, I found that feeling especially strange. But hey, the coach had decided so for his reasons. I certainly won’t sink or slump because of it."
Modric also touched upon the matter of transition at Real Madrid and whether the club had begun to phase out himself and his partner Toni Kroos, saying that he can only work on himself and help the younger players.
"I spoke to Ancelotti recently and at his initiative. We have a very good relationship since his first term, as well as in this current one. I am completely calm, aware that I have to work myself as I have done so far and that sooner or later everything will fall into place."
"I am aware that we have a lot of competition in midfield, that these youngsters are top players, that’s why they are at Real. And they have their own desires, motives and are looking for a place in the sun.
“There is absolutely no doubt that we, the seniors, must help them to progress and gradually assume the leading roles at the level that this club is ultimately looking for."
Reiterating the same, he added: "I have been active for a long time and I am glad that these youngsters, be it Rodrygo, Vinicius, or those who came, want advice and benefit from our experiences."
"I also remain firmly convinced that I can still play as Real Madrid need me to. Coach Ancelotti lets me know that he agrees with that and that he has no doubts about the quality of the game and the approach."
On his future, Modric stated that he would see how things go for him in the remainder of the season before assessing his options.
"We’ll see how things develop in the remainder of the year. The most important thing is the interest of the team and I will act in that direction, as always. If it turned out that I was no longer important, then I would think about what to do next," he said.
"I repeat, I did not stay for the sake of staying, but I want to play and enjoy football, like every day since I arrived at this fantastic club."
The midfielder, who will turn 38 this week, also admitted that there were offers for him to leave, including ones from Saudi Arabia, saying:
"Without false modesty, there have been offers before, as interest is constant. However, my fundamental vision has been, from 2012 until today, first and always Real."
On the departure of Karim Benzema, who opted to accept a lucrative offer from the Middle East, Modric added:
"Of course, I miss him because we were together for 11 years. I feel the same nostalgia as with every departure of my teammates and friends, like Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Cristiano Ronaldo, and others."
"We were together a lot, we won a lot and we rejoiced, these are special relationships, connected forever."
On whether he and Kroos are nearing the end of their careers, he said: "We don’t give up, although we are aware that the end of the story is near. That’s only natural."
"It’s true that he is four years younger, but he has a different view on the length of his career than I do. In any case, Toni is a great guy, not just an extra class on the field, and I am happy that we can enjoy the end of our careers together."