MADRID: Real Madrid and midfielder Luka Modric 鈥� the most decorated player in the club鈥檚 history 鈥� have agreed to part ways after the Club World Cup.

The 39-year-old Modric will leave after an 鈥渦nforgettable time as a player at our club,鈥� the club said in Thursday鈥檚 announcement.

Madrid will pay tribute to Modric in their last match of the season Saturday against Real Sociedad in La Liga at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The Club World Cup starts in mid-June in the United States.

鈥淭he moment has arrived,鈥� Modric said on social media. 鈥淭he moment I never wanted to come, but that鈥檚 football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end. On Saturday, I鈥檒l play my last game at the Santiago Bernabeu.鈥�

Modric arrived at Madrid in 2012 and became a key player during one of the most successful periods in the club鈥檚 history.

鈥淩eal Madrid wishes to express its immense gratitude and appreciation for a player who has become a true legend both of our club and world football,鈥� the club said.

In 13 seasons, Modric helped the club win 28 titles: six European Cups, six Club World Cups, five European Super Cups, four Spanish leagues, two Copas del Rey and five Spanish Super Cups.

鈥淟uka Modric will forever remain in the hearts of all madridistas (Madrid fans) as a unique and exemplary footballer who has always embodied the values of Real Madrid,鈥� club president Florentino Perez said. 鈥淗is football has captured the imagination of madridismo and fans all over the world. His legacy will live on forever.鈥�

The Croatia international has made 590 appearances for Madrid 鈥� eighth on the club鈥檚 all-time list 鈥� and has scored 43 goals. He had been playing fewer minutes in recent seasons under coach Carlo Ancelotti.

He is one of only five players to have won six European Cups.

In 2018, Modric won the Ballon d鈥橭r, was named FIFA鈥檚 best men鈥檚 player and UEFA鈥檚 men鈥檚 player of the year. Twice he鈥檚 been named the best midfielder in the Champions League.

鈥淚鈥檓 leaving filled with pride, gratitude and unforgettable memories,鈥� Modric said. 鈥淎nd although after the Club World Cup I won鈥檛 wear this shirt on the field again, I鈥檒l always be a madridista.鈥�

Modric did not indicate his post-Madrid plans, but a motivating factor could be that the 2026 World Cup is only a year away.

Modric鈥檚 186 matches for Croatia make him the nation鈥檚 record-holder for international appearances. He won the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup in Russia 鈥� where Croatia lost the final to France 鈥� and the Bronze Ball at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.