Real Madrid close the Modrić chapter to elevate Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Valverde and Güler

Luka Modrić wanted to finish his career at Real Madrid and even floated pay cuts to make it happen. Club decision-makers, though, have doubled down on handing full responsibility to the Tchouaméni - Camavinga - Valverde - Güler axis. Sources close to the dressing room say the coach would have welcomed Modrić staying, but accepted the long-planned handover. The move splits opinion: some see a ruthless but logical step, others fear a leadership vacuum and thin depth. Talk of a romantic return is already bubbling if injuries bite. For now, Madrid have nailed their colors to youth and continuity.

Club briefings in Madrid over recent days outlined a clear midfield succession plan: empower Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde and Arda Güler as definitive options. Within those conversations, it emerged that Luka Modrić was ready to reduce his salary to remain. The coaching staff appreciated his influence but aligned with the hierarchy’s long-term vision. Around the city, chatter also points to commercial and squad-planning considerations, including future shirt allocations, while supporters debate depth and leadership without Modrić’s presence.

🚨 Luka Modrić wanted to finish his career at Real Madrid and offered various salary reductions. However, the club's idea was to give the definitive replacement to Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Valverde and Güler in the midfield. Xabi would have liked Modrić to continue, but he knew

@MadridXtra

Impact Analysis

From a sporting perspective, Madrid are prioritizing control, athleticism and range across the middle. Tchouaméni anchors, Camavinga offers press resistance and ball-carrying, Valverde stretches games vertically, and Güler supplies the final-third craft. On paper, it is coherent and modern. The trade-off is experience management: Modrić’s tempo-setting in tight Champions League ties and his late-game decision-making have been safety nets for years. Removing that buffer places greater onus on in-game coaching and the bench’s ability to stabilize chaos.

Depth is the second lever. Dani Ceballos becomes a more consequential rotation piece, and the club will need at least two of the four core midfielders fit and in rhythm at all times. Historically, Madrid have absorbed injuries thanks to versatility and elite defenders stepping into build-up. Now, the midfield must both protect the back line and sustain final-third supply. Commercially, a refreshed core aligns with the club’s brand of renewal, but it must be validated by knockout football results. If the young axis thrives, the decision will look prescient. If rhythm dips, calls for a short-term reunion will grow louder.

Reaction

Supporters are split and vocal. One camp insists Modrić’s return is necessary, arguing Madrid are relying on “too many kids” and that his presence would stabilize the dressing room and training ground intensity. Another group respects the legend but points out he was already a rotational option and that it is fair for the next wave to own the minutes; if the youngsters cannot surpass a 40-year-old, they say, the project is flawed.

There is frustration about depth, with fans highlighting the lack of a classic playmaker and worries that Ceballos alone cannot be the safety valve. Some add that Camavinga’s knocks in recent seasons make the risk real across a long campaign. A noisy subset pushes a more cynical view, tying the decision to shirt politics and jersey sales following a new holder of the No. 10. Others defend the pivot, noting that Tchouaméni, Camavinga and Valverde excel off the ball and that Güler’s creativity can close the gap if given a longer runway of starts.

Social reactions

Florentino Pérez 🤝 treating legends like shit.

Märco (@minnyRMFC)

Now we have tchouameni who takes touches like an elephant

Kaiser (@isthatuzor)

Great, now our only backup in middlefield is Ceballos and Camavinga who's injured few times in a season. Meanwhile we didn't buy any playmaker. Thank you Perez

John Wick (@wlodsooon)

Prediction

The most realistic short-term scenario is Madrid sticking with the plan through the winter, giving Güler an extended sequence of starts and trusting the Tchouaméni - Camavinga axis in big away matches. If injuries stack up or game control slips in Europe, a pragmatic pivot could follow: a short contract until season’s end for Modrić would be straightforward to activate if he remains available and match-ready. That solution fits the dressing room dynamic, carries minimal tactical risk, and instantly upgrades late-game decision-making.

Medium term, the club will likely test hybrid structures: Valverde wide-right in a 4-3-3 to protect transitions, Jude Bellingham dropping deeper situationally to add craft, and Güler as a 60-minute starter before a stabilizer closes games. Should the young core hit expected levels, Madrid will double down in the summer by adding another multipurpose midfielder rather than a pure 10. If results wobble, expect a romantic final act for Modrić at the Bernabéu to gain momentum, framed as leadership insurance for another Champions League sprint.

Latest today

• Antoine Semenyo clause structure emerges as United and City push, Chelsea enquire
• Benzema’s nod sparks talk of Endrick loan to Lyon
• Real Madrid shut down January loan talk for Franco Mastantuono - full trust as fitness bui...
• Dani Carvajal could leave Real Madrid at season's end - what it means and what's next

Conclusion

Madrid have made a hard choice that aligns with their modern identity: trust the legs and upside of an elite young core and remove the crutch of a generational veteran. It is cold, but coherent. The club gets tactical continuity, wage clarity and a clear development lane for Güler, while Camavinga and Tchouaméni assume full responsibility for controlling games. The cost is intangible: leadership, tempo feel in chaotic moments, and the sense of certainty that Modrić brought with every touch.

Will it work? The ceiling is high if the kids own the stage and stay healthy. The floor, however, is a few nervy nights where experience might have mattered. If that happens, the door to a short-term reunion remains ajar. Either way, the decision signals where Madrid want to live as a project: fast, aggressive, and future-facing, even when it means saying goodbye to a legend on his terms.