Real Madrid icon Luka Modric has seen the departures of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo from the club. Ronaldo left the club in 2018 to join Juventus, whereas Benzema left the La Liga giants to join Al Ittihad this summer.

In a recent interview, Modric compared both the departures. He said, “Karim Benzema? Of course, I miss him, and we were together for 11 years. I feel the same sense of nostalgia as with every departure of my friends, such as Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo. These are special relationships, connected for the rest of our lives.”

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Ever since Modric's arrival in 2013, Real Madrid undoubtedly have established one of the strongest football spines in the club's history. With all the departed players he mentioned, he has managed to win five Champions League titles and three La Ligas. It is hard to see Real Madrid replicate those sorts of results with a new spine of players, but they have started this season really well by winning the first four La Liga games.

Although Modric is no longer a permanent starter at Real Madrid, he has taken over the leadership role. His main job is to help the new signings bed in and understand the club culture. Just like Benzema, the Croatian icon was also linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. However, he denied the story and signed a one-year extension with the Los Blancos. Once Toni Kroos and Modric leave the club, we can officially kiss goodbye to one of the greatest pivots in football history.