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| 출처=ESPN SNS 캡쳐 |
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| Bermuda Triangle in football. Source = Marka homepage capture |
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| Modrich's yesterday and today. Source=Blitzer Report Capture |
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"It was a great journey, man!"
Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos (retired) has sent a special tribute to his former teammate Luka Modric (Real) who has decided to end his stellar career at Real.
From Casemiro (Manchester United), who left the Santiago Bernabeu in 2022, Kroos, who retired in 2024, and Modric, who is leaving at the end of this season, the best midfielder combination in Real football's history, the so-called 'k-ca-mo' line has said goodbye to the world of football.
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti called Casemiro, Cross and Modric the Bermuda Triangle in an interview in 2022. Because the ball disappears when it goes to the area..." he praised the Three Musketeers.
Trio, who joined Real for a transfer fee of just 66 million euros (current exchange rate of about 102 billion won), started 156 games side by side and recorded 97 wins and 26 losses. Including the matches he played as a substitute, he worked together for more than 200 games. The money spent on recruiting three players is lower than the transfer fee spent on recruiting one Jude Bellingham. Bellingham joined Real for more than 100 million euros in summer 2023.
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| EPAYonhap News |
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| EPAYonhap News |
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The Spanish daily 『Marca" reported 'The three adapted to the situation regardless of the game situation and the opponent team. Each made up what they lacked in each other, and eventually formed a trio that no one could match. 'In the days when generational change, the rise of young players, and the constant talk of starting a new project for Real, no one has proved numerous times that there is no midfield player to match their level.
Modric was the first to join and was the last to leave. In August 2012, he left Tottenham and joined Real, where he played a key role for 13 years. A few months later Casemiro joined Real Castile. Casemiro left for Porto for a while and returned to establish himself as Real's first team. Two years later, in the summer of 2014, Kroos joined the team.
They won a total of 21 titles at Real. He won five European Champions League titles, three Spanish Primera Liga titles, three Club World Cups, and three Spanish Super Cups. With Modric's departure, only Dani Carvajal remains on the team among the members of the 2014 finals 'La Desima' (10th Champions win).
Modric said on his personal SNS on the 22nd (local time), `It's the moment I never wanted, but that's football. Everything in life has a beginning and an end. I will play my last match at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday..." he said goodbye.
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| 출처=ESPN SNS 캡쳐 |
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| Source=Luka Modric SNS Capture |
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Modric, who is from Croatia and won the 2018 Ballon d'Or, said, "In 2012, I came here with the desire to achieve great achievements by wearing the best team uniform in the world. I can't even imagine what happened after that. Playing for Real changed my life as a soccer player and as a person. I'm proud to have shared the most successful era at the best club in history."
"I've experienced amazing moments in the last few years, seemingly impossible come-from-behind wins, finals, championship events, and magical nights at the Bernabeu. We won every competition, and I was very happy. I was really, really happy."
Modric will take off his Real uniform after the Club World Cup in the United States from June to July. He leaves with a full heart. It is full of pride, gratitude, and unforgettable memories. Even if I don't get to wear this uniform after the Club World Cup, I'll be a Real fan forever. We'll meet again. Real is always my home. Forever. Hala Madrid."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
