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Luka Modric Says Spurs' 2011 Block on Chelsea Move Set Up His Real Madrid Career

The 40-year-old reflects in a new interview that Tottenham's refusal redirected his path to Madrid.

Overview

  • He confirms he asked to leave Tottenham for Chelsea in 2011, a move Spurs rejected under chairman Daniel Levy.
  • Modric says he stayed on for a standout 2011-12 season as Spurs finished fourth, with Chelsea winning the Champions League.
  • He then joined Real Madrid in 2012 for around £33 million, going on to win 28 trophies and the 2018 Ballon d'Or across 13 seasons.
  • In a separate recollection, he says Levy told him he would only be sold to Madrid and that he was prepared to refuse to play if blocked.
  • Now at AC Milan after leaving Madrid in 2025, he has impressed at age 40, drawing praise from coach Max Allegri after scoring in Serie A.