Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso, has described the club’s crushing 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-final on Wednesday as a “bitter end” to Luka Modric’s legendary spell with the Spanish giants.
The heavy defeat came courtesy of goals from Fabian Ruiz, Ousmane Dembele, and a brace by Goncalo Ramos, sending Los Blancos crashing out of the tournament in stunning fashion.
Modric, who came off the bench in what turned out to be his final appearance for Real Madrid, was unable to turn the tide against the dominant French side.
The 38-year-old Croatian captain will now make a summer move to Italian giants AC Milan, following Real Madrid’s decision not to renew his contract at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Alonso reflected on the disappointing farewell, “Definitely, it’s a bitter end to Modric’s Real Madrid career.
“Apart from that, he is a club legend. He is a football legend.
“He is a great man. He will be remembered forever in Madrid.”
Modric departs the Spanish capital with an exceptional legacy. Since joining the club from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, he has won an array of honours, including five UEFA Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, four FIFA Club World Cups, and multiple domestic cups.
The midfield maestro also claimed the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2018, breaking the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly and led Croatia to the World Cup final the same year.
His elegance, vision, and consistency have etched his name among the all-time greats in both Real Madrid and global football history.