It’s a strange one. On September 9, Luka Modric turned 40, a milestone that few footballers reach while still active—and even fewer at the highest competitive level. As usually happens on such occasions, birthday tributes quickly appeared on social media. Tottenham Hotspur, the club where Modric shone before joining Real Madrid, posted a message on their official channels. The Croatian Football Federation, proud of its captain and historic leader, also shared words of recognition. Former teammates, both from the national team and Madrid, added their own memories and messages of affection on their profiles.

Modric himself, active on Instagram, reposted several of these tributes in his stories, publicly thanking everyone for the support. However, what drew the most attention was one notable absence: that of Real Madrid. Neither on the club’s official account, nor in its stories, nor in its usual posts was there any birthday message. A silence that is surprising, considering he is one of the great legends of the club’s modern history.

A striking omission in Madridismo

Modric is not only a Ballon d’Or winner (2018) but also the foreign player with the most appearances in the famous white shirt. He has been key to the conquest of five Champions League titles, as well as multiple La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Club World Cup trophies. His stature is respected both inside and outside the dressing room and valued by fans as a symbol of professionalism and dedication.

That is why the silence on the club’s official platforms is particularly striking. It may have been a simple oversight or an unexplained communications decision, but in any case, it stands out when compared to the club’s usual practice of publicly celebrating its greatest icons.

A birthday celebrated worldwide… except at the Bernabéu

The truth is that Luka Modric’s 40th birthday—a player eternal in the eyes of Madridismo—was celebrated all over the world… except on Real Madrid’s official accounts. A contrast that did not go unnoticed by fans and leaves open the question of the reasons behind this silence.