Luka Modrić is one of Real Madrid’s best players ever.

The 37-year old Croatian midfielder has written one of the best pages in Real Madrid’s history books, but despite his age – he doesn’t plan to give up.

Without going into much details, below we will bring the full uninterrupted interview of Real Madrid’s star with SN.

Q: So, you turn 38 on Saturday…

Luka Modrić: “Beautiful! If someone had told me 10 years ago that I would still enjoy football and everything the game brings, training, socializing with teammates, support from the fans, I honestly wouldn’t have believed it.”

“I’m a lucky man. With my family, which is the meaning of my life, I enjoy football to the fullest, with Croatia, with Real Madrid, and above all with the same passion that has kept me going since my youngest days with the ball.”

“The most important factors for a player to be competitive are the physical and the motivation. In terms of physicality, everyone can see how I can still match today’s rhythm. In terms of motivation, I’m almost even more motivated than before.”

“Real Madrid expressed their desire to continue together in the spring, I had the same desire. We sat down and quickly agreed. It’s always been like this with my club, for 12 years, it cannot be changed. Our relationship is extraordinary.”

“The club, Ancelotti and I had clear conversations and agreements. My only condition for staying was to be treated as a competitive player and not to be kept in the squad in the name of past merits. It was my wish that all players can fight for a starting spot.”

“I’m competitive, I know I can still contribute to Real Madrid. I played for 120 minutes twice with Croatia two months ago, physically I can function at the previous levels. That’s why I wanted to stay, and when the club and Ancelotti said that nothing would change in my status, I signed.”

“3 games on the bench? Nobody is happy when you don’t play. I had never been benched for three games in a row, that feeling was strange to me. But the coach decides. I will certainly not sink or falter because of it.

“The most important thing is the interest of Real Madrid and I will act in that direction, as always. I didn’t stay just to stay, but I want to play and enjoy football, like every day since I came to this fantastic club.”

“I just had a conversation with Ancelotti, he wanted to talk to me. We have a very good relationship, there’s no rust there. I’m completely calm, aware that I have to continue working and that we have a lot of competition in the midfield, these young guys are top players.”

“We senior players must help our youngsters to progress and gradually take over. In this sense, Iv’e been doing it for a long time and I’m glad that these young guys, be it Rodrygo, Vinicius or the new ones want advices and use our experiences.”

“Saudi Arabia offer? I’m happy and fulfilled at Real Madrid, I’m not thinking about other options. Nor do I need to boost my ego with these stories about big offers. I just want to enjoy every moment in football and Real Madrid, and I don’t set any limits for myself.”

“Karim Benzema? Of course I miss him, we were together for 11 years. I feel the same sense of nostalgia as with every departure of my friends, such as Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Cristiano Ronaldo. These are special relationships, connected for the rest of our lives.”

“Kroos and I don’t give up, even though we are aware the end of the story is approaching. It’s a natural thing. Toni is 4 years younger, but he has different visions of the duration of his career compared to me. In any case, he’s a great guy, not only extra class on the pitch. I’m happy we can enjoy the end of our careers together.”

“Plans after I retire? The only thing I know is I want to stay in football. Which role? I’ve not yet come up with an idea. I’ve enrolled in the Academy of Coaches and I hope to finish it in Croatia.”

“Sergio Ramos is a great player, and a great friend. We talk very often and I know very well how strong was his desire to return home, to Seville. I called him, he’s very happy. He gave up a lot of money to return to Sevilla.”

“A return to Dinamo Zagreb? I promised I would come back. But then you don’t know how things will go in life, and how complicated something becomes considering everything that happened within it. A lot of things would have to be arranged for such things. How realistic is it that Dinamo would even want a player at the age of 39-40, and what sense would that even make?”

“I decided to continue with Croatia NT even before the Nations League. Dalić asked me to stay but it wasn’t needed. That was my direction too, playing the Euro qualifiers and the Euro 2024 in Germany. I feel very loved.”

“Bellingham? I have to say Jude has pleasantly surprised me. It was known he was talented, but when you see him up close, you only realize his potential. He really is a top talent. He has sense of the game, he can achieve what he imagines, he also has that ‘personality’. He has all the prerequisites to achieve a great career.

“Arda Güler is an extra talent, you could see it in the training sessions before the injury. His football will be spectacular. He has some skills with the ball that are special. He is a very nice guy, humble, modest and eager to learn.”