Champions League final: Real Madrid stars who could play their last game
Robin Bairner
- 28 May 2022 14:34 BST
- 3 min read
Real Madrid’s Champions League final match with Liverpool promises to be a special encounter, and for a handful of Los Blancos’ players it will be a particularly poignant affair as it could mark their last appearance with the club.
There are a number of stars who will be released at the end of their contracts, while another portion of players will be sold as the natural turnover of players in the football club continues.
Many of these players have been long-standing servants to the club, who have been with them through a special period in which they have already won three Champions League titles.
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Foremost among these men, of course, is Marcelo. A dashing left-back in his day, time has caught up with the 34-year-old, whose contract expires in June.
The Brazilian’s case is in contrast to Gareth Bale. The Wales international star is unlikely to have any part to play in the Paris showpiece, having been peripheral throughout much of the season because of injury issues, but he was the match-winner when these clubs met in the 2018 final, memorably scoring twice. His star has fallen in Madrid since, with fans unhappy with his attitude towards the team.
Isco, meanwhile, is another who will be released at the end of his contract in June.
Finally, Luka Modric’s deal is up at the end of the season, but the 36-year-old midfield schemer is set to be handed a new contract. He has already indicated that he will not “do a Kylian Mbappe” to the club.
Which Real Madrid players will be sold this summer?
While the identities of those players who will be released is clear, there is less guarantee of selling players due to the complications of the transfer market.
Top of the list that Los Blancos will be seeking to offload is Eden Hazard, who has never become the favourite Real Madrid fans expected when he first arrived at the club. Eating up a huge wage, the Belgium international is in danger of becoming a forgotten man.
Centre-forward Luka Jovic is in a similar position after a big-money move from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2020. Mariano Diaz is another clearly surplus to requirements.
Otherwise, the squad is expected to be relatively stable, with the exception of back-up goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who could well be offloaded to get first-team football.
Read more about: UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid, Andriy Lunin, Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale, Isco, Luka Jović, Marcelo, Mariano
