Real Madrid is currently reflecting on a disappointing season with seven league games remaining. While still in contention for the title, the club’s focus is shifting towards next season and how to improve their performance against rivals like Barcelona and in the Champions League.
It is widely expected that manager Álvaro Arbeloa will be replaced, though a successor has yet to be identified. Furthermore, Real Madrid is anticipated to be active in the summer transfer window, with a midfielder and a center-back reportedly being top priorities.
Club Officials Believe Modrić’s Exit Was a Mistake
Last summer, veteran midfielder Luka Modrić was not offered a new contract by Real Madrid and joined AC Milan on a free transfer. According to Fabrizio Romano on the ‘Here We Go’ podcast, high-ranking individuals within the club now believe that allowing Modrić to leave was an error. This sentiment stems not only from his midfield contributions but more significantly from the void left by his leadership in the dressing room. A decline in experienced leaders has been frequently cited as a contributing factor to the club’s recent struggles at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Assessment of Modrić’s Departure Could Affect Dani Carvajal’s Future
This realization comes at a time when Real Madrid is contemplating a similar decision regarding fellow veteran Dani Carvajal. The 34-year-old right-back has seen limited playing time and his contract is set to expire this summer, following a history of significant injuries over the past three years. The current understanding is that Real Madrid will allow Carvajal to decide whether he wishes to sign a one-year contract extension.
The Impact of Losing Veteran Leadership at Real Madrid
Carvajal and Thibaut Courtois were instrumental figures in Real Madrid’s historic European successes of the 2010s. In recent years, numerous experienced players, including Nacho Fernández, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, Marcelo, and Joselu Mato, have departed the club alongside Modrić, significantly reducing the dressing room’s experience. This trend is partly a consequence of Real Madrid’s recruitment strategy, which has increasingly focused on younger, emerging talents.
