Luka Modric’s illustrious Real Madrid career ended with a painful 4-0 thrashing by Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals.

But the Croatian maestro’s legacy stretches far beyond a single game, manager Xabi Alonso said.

Modric, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner and the Spanish club’s most decorated player, is set to join AC Milan.

This was after he played his final game for Real Madrid at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Wednesday.

Since his arrival from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, the 39-year-old played 597 games and won 28 trophies with Real Madrid, including six Champions League titles.

Alonso, who shared the pitch with Modric as teammates during his playing days at Real, told reporters on Wednesday that Modric was already a legend.

“This is not the desired end, it’s a bitter end, but he won’t be remembered for today’s game but for other great ones,” Alonso said.

“He’s a legend of world football and of Real Madrid. He’ll be remembered for many more good things than for the 25 minutes he played today.”

“Modric always gets a standing ovation, not only from the Madridistas.

“He’s a great player, a great teammate and we’ll miss him,” the Belgian said.