Luka Modric has decided to end his time as a Real Madrid footballer, which will leave the team without one of its most prominent figures in recent years, as they wait for another player to step up and take on a leadership role in the dressing room. The Croatian midfielder’s departure marks the end of an era at the white-clad club.

In light of this, the football world has reacted to his exit, waiting to see where his future lies—or whether he might even choose to retire from professional football. At this moment, we remember the Croatian as the only player who managed to snatch a Ballon d’Or during a time of total dominance by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Modric ended the Messi-Ronaldo dominance

From 2008 to 2017, only two names appeared on the list of Ballon d’Or winners: Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who collected 10 individual awards between them. That changed when Modric became the first Croatian to win it, breaking that historical trend in world football.

The year 2018 will be remembered as the year Luka Modric won the Ballon d’Or, beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann—who came in third—in the vote. That brilliant season cemented his place among the greatest midfielders in the history of European football.

Up until that point, Messi and CR7 had each won five Ballons d’Or, until the Croatian came in to change the narrative.

Modric will leave Real Madrid after the Club World Cup

Croatian midfielder Luka Modric, Real Madrid’s captain, will not continue with the team after the Club World Cup, as he announced this Thursday. Additionally, this Saturday’s match against Real Sociedad will be his last at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

“The moment has come. The moment I never wanted to arrive, but that’s football, and in life, everything has a beginning and an end... On Saturday, I’ll play my final match at the Santiago Bernabéu,” he wrote on social media.

“I arrived in 2012 with the dream of wearing the shirt of the best team in the world and the ambition to achieve great things, but I could never have imagined what would come next. Playing for Real Madrid changed my life as a footballer and as a person. I’m proud to have been part of one of the most successful eras in the history of the greatest club in the world,” he continued.

Modric expressed heartfelt thanks to the club, president Florentino Pérez, and all his teammates and coaches for their support “throughout all this time.”

“Over the years, I’ve experienced incredible moments—comebacks that seemed impossible, finals, celebrations, and magical nights at the Bernabéu... We’ve won everything, and I’ve been very happy. Very, very happy,” he added.

“But beyond the trophies and victories, I take with me the love of all the Madridistas. I truly don’t know how to explain the special connection I have with you and how supported, respected, and loved I have felt and still feel,” he said.

The Croatian concluded by saying he is leaving “with a full heart,” and won’t forget “every ovation and every gesture of affection” shown by the Real Madrid fans.