Midfielder Luka Modric has left the club this summer and his departure leaves a gaping hole in midfield
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has said the club could seek solutions to squad weaknesses in the transfer market, following their 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup.
Madrid were completely outplayed at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and speaking after the loss, Alonso acknowledged that his side needed reinforcements ahead of the new season.
“We haven’t talked about it during the Club World Cup but from now on we’re open to making improvements,” said Alonso. “We’re always looking to improve and there’s room for improvement.”
Madrid have already brought in two players this summer but are still exploring options across several positions, including midfield and full-back. The manner of the defeat to PSG has only increased scrutiny on the strength the squad.
The game also marked the final appearance of Luka Modric for the club. The Croatian has been a fixture in Madrid’s midfield for over a decade but is now joining Italian side AC Milan. The 39-year-old leaves having made 597 appearances and won 28 major trophies, including six Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns.
“It’s not the ending anyone wanted,” said Alonso. “It’s a bitter end. But that’s not how he’ll be remembered.
“He’s a legend of world football and of Real Madrid. He’ll be remembered for everything he did over the years, not for tonight’s 25 minutes.”
Modric joined Real from Tottenham in 2012 and quickly proved himself one of the midfielders in the world. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2018 and has been praised for his almost unparalleled ability to dictate play and find crucial passes on the pitch.
His departure leaves a gaping hole and Madrid’s hierarchy are understood to be weighing up options to succeed the Croatian. They have Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga but neither of those two are the creative icon and metronome that Modric can be.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois hailed Modric’s contribution to the club, saying: “He’s a great player, a great teammate, and we’ll miss him.”
