Luka Modric to play into his forties?! Real Madrid midfielder makes big decision on his future with contract running down after returning to Carlo Ancelotti's starting line-up

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Luka Modric's desire is to prolong his Real Madrid career beyond the summer, when his current contract expires, and stay at the club for at least another season.

In recent weeks, Modric has regained his spot in Carlo Ancelotti's starting line-up, largely thanks to an injury to Dani Ceballos in February and Fede Valverde having to play as a makeshift right-back. In Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Ceballos, the club has a strong young core in midfield, which has reduced Modric to a squad role since 2023. But in the wake of his recent performances, and his unparalleled longevity at the highest level, Los Blancos may well be tempted to keep their iconic midfielder for another year, something that Ancelotti has confidently supported.

If Real Madrid do offer Modric an extension for another season, it would result in the Croatian becoming the first-ever player to play for Madrid in their forties. As it is, Modric is both the club's oldest player and goal scorer of all time.

While fans await the verdict on the evergreen 39-year-old's future in the Spanish capital, he is still going strong at both club and international level. Modric will captain Croatia in the first leg of the Nations League quarter-final on Thursday, March 20, facing club team-mates Kylian Mbappe, Tchouameni, and Camavinga in the opposition.