Bizarre scenario sees Luka Modric & one other Real Madrid star have their contracts extended by just two weeks following urgent FIFA request

Real Madrid will be among the leading contenders to win the inaugural edition of the revamped Club World Cup, set to kick off in June. In preparation for the tournament, FIFA has requested that clubs offer special short-term contract extensions to players whose current deals expire on June 30, 2025. As a result, AS reports that Madrid veterans Modric and Vazquez are expected to receive unique two-week renewals, ensuring they remain eligible to compete in all of the Club World Cup fixtures scheduled for July. That is, if Madrid progresses to the knockout stages.

Madrid have been paired with Al-Hilal, Pachuca, and RB Salzburg for the group stage of the Club World Cup. Their games will be played on June 18, June 22, and June 27. Should they finish as runners-up in the group, they will play their Round of 16 tie on June 30. If they finish first, they will play their last-16 tie on July 1, one day after the contracts of Modric and Vazquez expire. For the two seasoned campaigners to legally be eligible for all the subsequent games, provided Los Blancos go deep into the tournament, they'll have to sign short-term renewals until July 13. Madrid are patient and will sit down with two of their senior-most members to extend their contracts for a further 14 days.

However, the long-term futures of both Vazquez and Modric at the Santiago Bernabeu remain uncertain beyond the Club World Cup. Reports suggest that the Merengues are unlikely to offer a contract renewal to the 33-year-old right-back for the 2025–26 season. With Dani Carvajal expected to fully recover from his ACL injury ahead of the new campaign — and the anticipated free transfer arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold — Madrid are already planning for the future at right-back, potentially leaving Vazquez surplus to requirements.

As for Modric, AS reports that a renewal remains difficult but not entirely off the table. The Croatian maestro is eager to continue competing at the highest level in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. However, any extension would be contingent on him accepting a reduced salary and embracing an even more diminished role within the squad.

Although Madrid were eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals and lost the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona, they remain alive in a bid to defend their LaLiga crown. Carlo Ancelotti's side are currently four points behind their rivals from Catalonia, whom they will face on May 11. Before that, though, a game against Celta Vigo on Sunday, May 4, awaits.