"With me, you never know" – Real Madrid icon Luka Modric opens up on retirement plans

Real Madrid superstar Luka Modric, who turned 39 earlier this week, has stayed tight-lipped about his potential plans of hanging up his boots.

Modric, who penned a one-year contract extension at Los Blancos earlier this July, is currently in the twilight of his illustrious career. He has started just one of his five appearances across competitions for Carlo Ancelotti's team this season, featuring in 132 minutes of action.

After scoring the winner in Croatia's 1-0 UEFA Nations League win over Poland on Sunday (September 8), Modric was asked to shed light on his retirement plans. He replied (h/t X/@FabrizioRomano):

"With me, you never know. We have to take it game by game! I can't think about the future. When I no longer feel the fire in me, I'll retire. Only I can feel that fire and make the decision."

Modric, who lifted the Ballon d'Or award in 2018, has helped Real Madrid lift a staggering 26 trophies since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur for €35 million in 2012. The 39-year-old has scored 39 goals and laid out 86 assists in 539 games across competitions for his current club.

Trent Alexander-Arnold backed to join Real Madrid in future by popular Liverpool great

Speaking recently on the Three Up Front podcast, Liverpool legend Graeme Souness claimed that Trent Alexander-Arnold would be a perfect signing for Real Madrid. He said (h/t Football Espana):

"Trent Alexander-Arnold is tailor-made for Real Madrid in terms of the way he plays. He's got an unbelievable delivery, not to mention he's good friends with Jude Bellingham. He could end up at Madrid and that message may already have been relayed to Liverpool."

Earlier this month, Alexander-Arnold was withdrawn for the third time in a row in the 76th minute of the Reds' 3-0 league victory at Old Trafford.

Sharing his thoughts on the right-back's substitution, Souness added:

"I don't see any reason to take Trent off against Manchester United, other than if they know he's leaving. They'd still want to keep him in the side for the rest of the season and he'll go for free at the end of it. The message that he's made up his mind may already have been relayed to the higher-ups. If you're going to leave Liverpool, where else other than Madrid can you really go to better yourself?"

Alexander-Arnold, 25, has bagged 19 goals and recorded 81 assists in 313 appearances across all competitions for his boyhood team so far.