Miami International s Modric Chase: A Transfer Game That Has Not Ended

On May 23, 2025, the news that Real Madrid midfielder Luca Modric announced his departure caused a shock in the football world, and the American League team Miami International quickly became a popular candidate for its potential next home.

Although many reports say that the two sides are close to signing, as of today, there are still many variables in this transfer - from salary restrictions to the players' personal wishes, from club strategy to external competition, every step may be rewritten the final outcome.

Miami's "Superstars Puzzle" program

Miami International's interest in Modric began in 2023. At that time, after signing Messi, the boss Beckham turned his attention to the legendary veterans in European football, trying to build an "all-star team" with both competitive strength and commercial value. In April 2025, Messi personally promoted the club to accelerate negotiations, hoping to join forces with this former opponent and now possible teammate to compete in the US League.

However, the club's signings are not without obstacles. According to the rules of the MAF, the team has only 3 "designated players" places (salaries are not included in the salary cap), and has been occupied by Messi, Alba and Busquets. If Modric is to sign, Miami International needs to adjust its existing salary structure or seek special approval of the league - this operation was successfully implemented when Messi joined, but whether it can be replicated remains unknown. The trade-offs behind the annual salary of $2.5 million

The details of the contract disclosed by World Sports show that Miami International has issued a one-year contract with an annual salary of $2.5 million to July 2026. This offer is far lower than the sky-high price of 100 million euros in the Saudi League, but Croatians value the competitive environment and quality of life of the AFC - Miami's pleasant climate, relatively loose schedule, and the demand for maintaining its state before the 2026 World Cup are all key considerations.

It is worth noting that Modric has expressed his hope to retire at Real Madrid many times, and his decision to leave the team this time was interpreted by the outside world as "forced to say goodbye." If Miami International is unable to provide sufficient competitive commitments (such as core position or championship competitiveness), the 39-year-old midfielder may still take other paths.

Multi-party struggle: Saudi Arabia, Europe and the American League have secretly fought, although Miami International seems to have taken the lead, potential competitors are still eyeing:

Saudi League: In 2023, it issued a two-year 100 million euro contract for Modric. Although it was rejected, Saudi teams may still restart negotiations

European giants: Chelsea, Manchester City and other teams had tentative contact, but gave up the internal competition of the American League: New York City and other teams are also interested in Modric and are not subject to the "designated players" quota limit

In addition, Miami International itself is also facing a strategic swing. The club also negotiated with Manchester City midfielder De Bruyne. If the Belgian is successfully introduced, it may dilute the investment in Modric's resources.

Messi's "dual role": Catalyst and X-factor

As Miami International's number one star, Messi plays a delicate role in this transfer.

On the one hand, his existence greatly enhances the team's attractiveness - Modric once publicly praised Messi for "redefining football", and the two's mutual appreciation in the 2018 Golden Globes competition added to the topic of cooperation.

On the other hand, Messi's contract renewal progress (currently close to reaching an agreement) may affect the club's salary space allocation, which in turn affects Modric's possibility of joining.

Ultimate suspense: The collision of business logic and football ideals

The core of this transfer tug-of-war is actually a clash of two values:

For Miami International, Modric is an insurance that continues the "Messi effect" - the club's valuation has soared to $1.5 billion because Messi is required to maintain its popularity

For Modric, this may be the last major choice in his career: accept the "pension" label of the American League? Or go to Saudi Arabia to earn a sky-high annual salary? Or trade low wages for competitive dignity?

When Beckham's ambition meets Modric's pride, this is destined not to be a simple deal!