Luka Modric gives final Real Madrid interview

Croatian Luka Modric, the player with the most titles in the history of Real Madrid, said goodbye to Madrid after playing his last match in the Club World Cup semi-finals, "grateful" to the club that "has given him everything".

 "An unforgettable, glorious and winning period has come to an end. What I have lived through gives me more joy. Remembering everything I've achieved here is something to be very happy about, even though it's coming to an end. At Real Madrid I have grown as a player and as a person. Real Madrid has given me everything in football and for that I will be grateful for the rest of my life. I will always be a madridista," he told the club's media.

"It has been a long journey, but an unforgettable one. I have grown a lot as a player and as a person. I have another home away from home, because Madrid and Spain are like my second home. I'm very happy and I'm sure that with time I'll be even more aware of what I've achieved, because I'm going to need some time to add up all the emotions and everything I've achieved here," he added.

Modric leaves with 28 titles to his name, making him the most successful player in Real Madrid's history.

"Listening to my achievements makes me happy and proud of what I have achieved. To be the player who has won the most titles at the best club in the history of football is impressive. There are other things too, like the affection of the people. I always keep that because it's something that nobody can take away from you. You can't fool people and they're not going to love you just because you play for Real Madrid, but the affection they've given me is impressive. I never imagined it", he thanked.

The 39-year-old Croatian midfielder left words of thanks to president Florentino Perez. "He has been very important to me, firstly because he brought me here. From that moment on he has always shown me special affection".

And he confessed that he has felt different to the rest for the president as Florentino Perez's tears on the day of Modric's farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu in the last LaLiga match showed. 

"Now I can say it: he has treated me differently, he had a very special affection for me. And I think he showed it in my last game, because I had never seen the president cry. When I saw the pictures, that's when you realise that this person really loves you. I will be eternally grateful for everything he has done for me and my family. 

Among so many unforgettable moments in a Real Madrid shirt, Modric recalled the 10th UCL title "because that's when we can say that it all began", on a path full of Champions League titles.

"The domination of the last 12 or 13 years began, which has been incredible, winning six Champions League titles in 10 years. I always mention the 'Decima' because it was impressive, and the way we won it defines perfectly what Real Madrid is all about: never giving up and believing until the end. It was unforgettable for the madridistas, because the number 10 is special. For me it is also a special number. When I remember that celebration I always smile".