On a quiet Sunday between 2012 and 2013, Luka Modric made his debut in a Real Madrid shirt—a signing that was met with skepticism at the time but has since proven to be one of the most valuable in the club’s modern history. Now, with Modric's and Ancelotti's departure, Real Madrid is bringing a historic era to a close. The Croatian midfielder, at 39 years of age, leaves behind a legacy few players have matched—both on the pitch and in the virtual football universe.

That digital stage, of course, is EA Sports FC (formerly FIFA), the iconic football simulation series that has long mirrored the real-world exploits of football's biggest names.

Modric’s first appearance in the game came in FIFA 10, back when he was still dazzling in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt. That initial card rated him at 81 overall, reflecting his creativity and finesse as an attacking midfielder with notable speed, dribbling, and passing.

His first card as a Real Madrid player came in FIFA 13, rated 86, though it marked a slight dip from the 88 he held in his final year at Spurs. Despite the downgrade, it was the start of a decade-long evolution that would see Modric rise to the elite tier of the game.

Throughout his career, Modric has featured in dozens of cards across various FIFA/EA Sports editions—always above average, always consistent. His peak came in FIFA 19, the year he won the Ballon d'Or, with a 91-rated base card, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo (94), Lionel Messi (94), and Neymar Jr (92). That same year, he received the coveted 99-rated TOTY (Team of the Year) card, marking the highest rating of his virtual career.

And in a poetic twist, Luka Modric leaves Real Madrid with the same 86 overall rating he had when he arrived. Even his core statistics remain strikingly similar, with only minor changes—his defensive stats improving by just seven points over the span of 12 years. It’s a fitting symbol of his remarkable longevity and the consistency that defined his career.

As Real Madrid bids farewell to a legend, both on the real and digital fields, Modric’s legacy remains intact—timeless, elegant, and as consistent as ever.

********************************************************

You can now download the Madridista News App for free on the Apple Store and Google Play.

You can follow us on Facebook here.

You can follow us on X (Twitter) here.                                                                    

You can follow us on Instagram here.

You can subscribe to our YouTube channel here.

You can follow us on Telegram here.

You can follow us on TikTok here.

You can join our WhatsApp channel here.