The bold pursuit of Real Madrid and Croatia legend Luka Modric by Dinamo Zagreb has taken an unconventional turn, with club president Velimir Zajec making a public plea for the midfield maestro to return to his roots.
In a rare display of transparency, Dinamo Zagreb took out a full-page advertisement in Spain’s renowned sports newspaper, Marca, urging Modric to consider rejoining the club where he kick-started his career in 2003.
The advert prominently featured Dinamo’s blue shirt adorned with Modric’s name and the number 10, accompanied by the hashtag “It makes all the sense in the world” and Zajec’s signature.
The club further amplified their message by posting a video on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), greeting Modric with “Buenos dias” and showcasing a traditional Spanish breakfast before unveiling the newspaper advert.
Why Modric is set to exit Real Madrid?
Luka Modric’s potential departure from Real Madrid this summer has been widely speculated, as the 38-year-old has seen reduced playing time this season, making just 12 starts and 13 substitute appearances in LaLiga due to stiff competition from young talents in Aurélien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham.
Having begun his playing career at Dinamo Zagreb before successful spells at Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid, Luka Modric boasts an illustrious resume, including five Champions League titles and three La Liga triumphs.
He also played a pivotal role in leading Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and was honored with the Ballon d’Or that same year.
Despite Modric’s silence on his future plans, Dinamo Zagreb’s proactive approach underscores their eagerness to lure the midfielder back to his homeland.
While Modric’s potential destinations remain uncertain, the veteran is yet to speak publicly about his future.
In 2023, he rejected lucrative interest from Saudi Arabia to stay at Madrid for another year, including rumored interest from Major League Soccer (MLS).
Luka Modric to Dinamo Zagreb
This bold tactic by Dinamo Zagreb mirrors previous instances where high-profile transfers were preceded by newspaper adverts, such as Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s grand announcement of his move to MLS in 2018.
Additionally, some Italian fans made use of similar tactics when they posted an advert, urging Juventus to fire manager Massimiliano Allegri, with the caption “#AllegriOut.”
As the football world eagerly awaits Modric’s decision, Dinamo Zagreb’s unconventional recruitment strategy serves as a testament to their determination to secure the services of one of Croatia’s most revered talents.
