Why Modric could leave Real Madrid amid Inter Miami interest

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • 3 Oct 2023 14:23 CDT
  • 3 min read
Real Madrid's Luka Modric
© ProShots

Luka Modric has been linked with a move to Inter Miami in recent weeks, and Lionel Messi is reportedly keen for the Croatian to join him in the MLS.

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The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner has only started three of Real Madrid’s 10 games in all competitions so far this season, with Jude Bellingham essentially taking his place in the starting XI at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Los Blancos have used a midfield diamond this season, with Toni Kroos and Modric often competing for one spot alongside Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde and Bellingham.

READ MORE: 'Strange feeling' - Modric hits out at reduced Real Madrid role

Predrag “Pedja” Mijatovic has told La Ser (via Mundo Deportivo) that Inter Miami want to sign Modric, whose Real Madrid contract expires at the end of the 2023-24 season.

“He has received offers from the MLS, from many teams and from Inter Miami in particular,” Mijatovic said. “Lionel Messi himself has personally been interested in the possibility [of Modric joining].”

Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba joined Messi at Inter Miami during the summer and the 2022 World Cup winner is now eyeing up a potential move for another La Liga star.

READ MORE: Messi tells Beckham to sign Real Madrid star

Messi is currently sidelined through injury and has missed Inter Miami’s past three games. He has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 12 appearances for the MLS side since joining from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in July.

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
© ProShots - Lionel Messi, Inter Miami

Why Modric may leave Real Madrid

As per FootballEspana, Antonio Romero has revealed to Cadena SER that Real feel Modric is no longer operating at his best.

The report states that Romero’s impression “is that from within the club, the message has been filtered into the public domain that Modric has dropped off significantly in terms of his physical condition in the space of the last three months, and is struggling to produce in the same way as he did last season.”

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