Real Madrid is entering a new phase of transformation, marked by a deep restructuring of the squad and significant departures that signal the end of an iconic chapter. Among the most emotional changes is the confirmed exit of Luka Modric, one of the club’s most beloved legends. The Croatian midfielder announced on Thursday afternoon that he will leave the club following the Club World Cup, marking the end of his extraordinary spell in white.

Modric's departure, however, will not stand alone. Lucas Vázquez is also expected to leave the club, although his exit has not yet been officially confirmed. Both players are set to bid farewell to the fans this Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu, during what promises to be a heartfelt send-off. As two of the team’s current captains, their exit will also open new vacancies in the leadership structure of the squad.

With the club’s tradition of assigning the captaincy based on seniority in the first team, Dani Carvajal is the natural successor. The Spanish right-back, who recently extended his contract until 2026, has been a Madridista through and through. As a youth player, he laid the foundation stone at Valdebebas in 2004, and after a year-long spell at Bayer Leverkusen (2012-2013), he returned to a club where he eventually became one of the best full-backs in the world.

As Real Madrid prepares to appoint its sixth new captain in six seasons, attention also turns to who will support Carvajal in the leadership group. Three players—Thibaut Courtois, Fede Valverde, and Vinícius Júnior—each joined in the summer of 2018 and now stand as key figures. They are the leading candidates to take over the armband in Carvajal’s absence.

Another possibility is Dani Ceballos, who signed for Real Madrid in 2017. However, his two-season loan spell at Arsenal might affect his seniority standing within the current captaincy hierarchy.

With legends stepping aside and a new generation rising, Real Madrid’s symbolic passing of the armband reflects a larger shift: the beginning of a bold, new chapter in the club’s storied history.

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