The renowned Croatian has only started four games this season, and a move to the MLS this winter could be too tempting to pass up.

Unfortunately for MLS fans, Inter Miami did not make the cut. The Herons’ form dipped as Lionel Messi dealt with an undisclosed injury, and they ultimately missed the playoffs. The likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba won’t play another competitive club match until the end of February after Miami play their final game of the season on October 21.

With Miami planning their next offensive on the transfer market in an effort to ignite a serious title push in 2024, transfer rumors have begun. All eyes will be on whatever international superstars can be enticed to join Messi in south Florida, while a few new local arrivals are expected, especially via the MLS SuperDraft.

After Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez was denied permission to leave current club Gremio in the summer, he has been linked with a reunion with his three former Barcelona team-mates. However, his current contract expires at the end of the year, making a change like that very likely.

Luka Modric, who has fallen out of favor at Real Madrid and has been connected with a move to South Beach, is possibly the most intriguing name to have surfaced in the gossip columns, with Miami owner David Beckham supposedly fueling the club’s interest.

What follows is not an obituary for Modric the football player. It’s also not a claim that the 38-year-old midfielder has nothing left to contribute to a football team. Neither Florentino Perez nor Beckham should take this as advice. Instead, it’s a look at an odd reality: the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, probably the greatest midfielder of his time, barely plays for his team these days.

So far this season, Modric has been little more than a reliable backup for Carlo Ancelotti’s team. However, it is possible that his role will increase in significance as the season progresses. But Modric is an outlier, a midfielder who appears to merit a more prominent role.

Because of the possibility of returning to regular playing time, albeit with an MLS club, he may soon have to say goodbye to Santiago Bernabéu.