Luka Modric: I'll not do an Mbappe over new contract

FT Desk

Updated: 25 May 2022 11:05 BST
3 min read

Luka Modric helped Real Madrid to Champions League success over Chelsea — © ProShots

Luka Modric slipped in a dig at Kylian Mbappe when asked by Spanish media about his contract situation at Real Madrid.

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Mbappe and Modric could have been team-mates at the Bernabeu next season, but the Frenchman did a last-minute U-turn on Real Madrid, instead extending his contract at Paris Saint-Germain.

Real reportedly had replica jerseys with Mbappe's name printed on them ready for sale, and La Liga wanted to complain to UEFA and the EU about PSG's "scandalous" arrangement with Mbappe.

What is Modric's contract situation at Real?

Modric's contract with Madrid is up this summer, meanwhile. Still a midfield marvel at 36, the Croatian would be one of the hottest properties on the market with no transfer fee involved, but he has already given his word to the Spanish giants.

"I haven't renewed yet, but I'm not going to do an Mbappe. I hope the club doesn't do it to me!" Modric told Spanish radio program COPE. "We have a good relationship. I have said many times that I want to finish my career here."

⚪️ @lukamodric10, en @partidazocope

😂 "Todavía no he renovado, pero yo no voy a hacer un @KMbappe; espero que el club no me lo haga a mí"

😱 "Tenemos buena relación. He dicho muchas veces que quiero terminar mi carrera aquí"

📻 #PartidazoCOPE pic.twitter.com/4JLw6y38oz
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) May 24, 2022

Modric and Mbappe will face each other when Croatia meet France in the UEFA Nations League on 6 June, but it doesn't appear that any more bad blood between the two will spill over into that game.

"No, because we didn't know anything," Modric continued when asked if Mbappe's contract decision came as a surprise.

"We had no expectations. There was a lot of talk about this for a year, but we didn't know anything; if it was going to happen or not, and that is why we have to close that topic and not talk about it anymore."

Modric has four UEFA Champions Leagues since joining Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012 and is looking to make it a fifth when Los Blancos take on Liverpool in this season's showpiece at the Stade de France this Saturday, 28 May.

Read more about: UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Ligue 1, PSG, Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé, Luka Modric