With the departure of Luka Modrić, the era of the legendary “CMK” midfield trio with Toni Kroos and Casemiro comes to an end at Real Madrid. A look at a golden decade – and Xabi Alonso’s biggest task.
It was a trio that made the ball disappear – and with it the hope of the opponents. “I like to call the three the ‘Bermuda Triangle’. The ball disappears there for the opponent,” Carlo Ancelotti once raved.
He was referring to Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro – the heart of a Real Madrid that dominated world football for over a decade. With the official departure of Modrić, a golden era now finally comes to an end. And heralds a gigantic challenge for Ancelotti’s heir, Xabi Alonso.
The Real midfield trio shaped an era of world football
Because with Modrić, the last part of the royal centerpiece departs. An adequate replacement must first be found in Alonso’s Real.
The 39-year-old Modrić leaves the Royal Whites after 13 years, in which he celebrated six Champions League titles, four Spanish championships, and two cup victories. The Croatian was not only the last remaining of the legendary midfield trio, but also the only one who was awarded the Ballon d’Or during his time at Real Madrid.
Modrić came from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, Kroos followed two years later from FC Bayern. Casemiro joined the team from São Paulo in 2013, was initially loaned to Porto – and returned as a key player.
Together they formed the stable foundation on which Real Madrid built its most modern success story – with a style that radiated far beyond Spain’s borders.
The distribution of roles was clear: Casemiro cleared up, secured, won duels. Kroos conducted with a steady hand, with overview and outstanding passing quality. Modrić was the magician, the artist who accelerated, steered, decided the game.
The dissolution began creeping in: Casemiro left the club in 2022 in the direction of Manchester United, just a few days after Ancelotti had publicly praised the trio once again. Kroos then announced his retirement in 2024. And Modrić, although no longer a regular player recently, showed again and again that he could still steer games when he was needed. Nevertheless, he did not get a new contract. The era is over.
“He did it until he was almost 40 years old and every season, like a certain Benjamin Button: Every year he left more and better memories. Like a good wine,” wrote the .
Xabi Alonso Takes Over – and Plans The Upheaval
After the departure of Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso will take over as coach at Real Madrid in the summer. Before the official announcement on Sunday, Ancelotti had already revealed this himself at the press conference after his farewell: “Xabi Alonso will be the first, and I wish him all the luck in the world. He has the quality to train Real Madrid. […] Enjoy Real Madrid. He should enjoy it, that’s my opinion.”
Easier said than done: At the latest with Kroos’ departure, Madrid’s midfield unmistakably lost its magic. The installation of a new center could become an overwhelming task for Alonso.
A new section is to begin with the previous Bayer coach. Dean Huijsen has already been signed, Trent Alexander-Arnold is about to sign. But movement is also expected in midfield – and according to , there is already a shortlist with four names on the table, which should be in Alonso’s sense.
At the top: Franco Mastantuono. Despite being 17 years old, the Argentine top talent from River Plate is traded as a future world star. His exit clause is 45 million euros.
In addition, two Bundesliga professionals are considered options: Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios, who already worked under Alonso, as well as Angelo Stiller from VfB Stuttgart. Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan is also on the list – but Milan is demanding at least 60 million euros for the Dutchman.
Although investments had already been made in the future with Eduardo Camavinga (2021) and Aurélien Tchouaméni (2022), both have so far not been able to consistently reach the level of the legendary trio.
Tchouaméni was allowed to play 31 times in the league this season, Camavinga only 19 times. Both are considered important building blocks, but the final breakthrough is still missing. Jude Bellingham, who moved from Borussia Dortmund to the Spanish capital in 2023, played a fabulous first season for the Royal Whites before remaining under his possibilities this season.
In his debut season, he had shone more as a scorer (23) than as a ball distributor á la Kroos, after the arrival of Kylian Mbappé at Real, he is still looking for his place in the newly formed offense. Finding this balance again will also be a task for the new coach.
A Legacy for Eternity
The expectation of Alonso is therefore clear: He should not only win games, but also shape a new era in midfield. No easy task in view of a legacy that could hardly be heavier.
What remains is a picture that football fans all over the world will not forget: Modrić, Kroos, and Casemiro, shoulder to shoulder in four Champions League finals, four times as winners. A triangle that never got out of balance. A triangle that disappeared – with the ball.