Ivica Olic, the former head coach of CSKA Moscow, shared his thoughts in an interview with Metatations about Luka Modric and the potential move to the Russian Premier League. He suggested that if the Real Madrid midfielder leaves the Spanish champions, his transition to Russia would be particularly challenging for him as a player at this stage of his career.
Olic maintained that Modric might be better off bringing his playing days to an end in one of the Middle Eastern leagues. He argued that the current market has shifted, with many high-profile players already opting for clubs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, making a return to Russia for a player of Modric’s stature seem unlikely.
According to Olic, Russia still hosts strong competition, but the caliber and pace of its championship would test Modric differently than other leagues. He stressed that it would not be an easy adjustment for a player of Modric’s experience and skill set, especially after a long spell at Real Madrid where the demands are high and the level of play is consistently elite.
Modric’s contract with Real Madrid was reported to have expired in the summer of 2024, with the club indicating there were no plans to renew his deal at that time. This opened speculation about possible destinations and the trajectory of Modric’s career in the years that followed. The discussion around his future has been influenced by broader shifts in world football and the evolving preferences of veteran players seeking new challenges or different career arcs.
In 2022, discussions about Russian football were significantly affected by governance decisions. The international bodies FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia from all competitions under their control, a move that impacted both the national team and clubs. Since that suspension, Russian teams have participated only in friendly matches, altering the competitive landscape and the opportunities for players considering moves to or from the region. This context is often cited when evaluating interest in Russian leagues as a potential destination for aging stars or players exploring a late-career chapter. The suspension remains a pivotal factor influencing transfer considerations in the period following the decision, and it continues to shape conversations about the prestige and viability of Russian football on the global stage.
Additionally, there have been recurring rumors and commentary about player movements from Russian clubs, including speculative departures from prominent teams like Spartak. Such discussions contribute to the ongoing narrative around Russian football and its ability to attract or retain top talents, particularly when viewed through the lens of international competition and the evolving market dynamics in football transfers.