For Real Madrid, their success, global prestige, and massive fanbase make them a role model for elite football clubs. Jeetbuzz Login rightly notes that calling them the world’s top club is no exaggeration. Yet even giants have flaws, and for Madrid, one recurring criticism is their less-than-graceful handling of veterans. From Raúl and Casillas to Cristiano Ronaldo, few legends have received the farewells they deserved — a lingering regret for many supporters.

This season, it’s Luka Modrić who finds himself at a crossroads. Having dedicated over a decade of peak performance to the Bernabéu, the Croatian maestro has seen his prominence fade. The No.10 shirt no longer holds the same shine, and his starting spot has largely been taken by rising young stars. Despite consistently impressive performances off the bench and voicing his frustrations, Modrić has remained a secondary figure in the squad. With salary pressures mounting and Kylian Mbappé’s impending arrival, the club seems poised to part ways.

Mbappé’s signing, even with a reduced salary, still represents a significant financial burden for Madrid, given their roster of high earners. Complicating matters further, Madrid’s iconic No.7 is already taken, leaving the No.10 jersey — currently worn by Modrić — as the likely fallback for the French superstar. As harsh as it may seem, Jeetbuzz Login suggests the only solution might be for Modrić to step aside to accommodate the new era. After all, football doesn’t always reward sentiment — sometimes the heart has to give way to hard choices.

Yet surprisingly, Modrić has shown no desire to leave. Despite multiple approaches from the club encouraging him to explore high-paying offers in Saudi Arabia or Major League Soccer — potentially reuniting with former peers like Ronaldo and Messi — Modrić has turned them all down. He remains adamant about continuing his journey in Madrid and is actively seeking a contract renewal.

This determination has complicated things for the Real Madrid hierarchy, introducing a delicate tension between club legend and management. The only way forward may be for Modrić to accept a substantial pay cut, relinquish any claim to a starting role, and even surrender the No.10 shirt — an unthinkable compromise for someone who captained his country to a World Cup final and has been the heartbeat of Madrid’s midfield for years. But Modrić isn’t one to let harsh reality crush his dreams. His desire to keep fighting at the top level reflects a fire that refuses to die out.

Now the ball is in Madrid’s court. How they handle this situation will be telling. Some extreme voices argue that even without signing Mbappé, Madrid could maintain their strength next season by bringing in alternative reinforcements. That would, theoretically, make room for Modrić to stay — but the truth runs deeper. Mbappé’s transfer isn’t just about on-field performance. It’s about brand value, marketing power, and future commercial expansion — advantages Modrić, for all his greatness, cannot offer.

If Modrić stands firm on his renewal terms, negotiations could collapse. Jeetbuzz Login editors believe neither fans nor admirers of the Croatian veteran want to see such a scenario unfold, but football, at its core, is a competitive business — not a sentimental one.