At an age like Luca Modric, there are those who start thinking about money, there are those like Modric where when he feels he can play for a top club like Real Madrid, he will be happy to do it and without thinking about the money that is offered to him. Modric himself must have considered what will happen next when he is unable to provide the best for the club, and surely that is a risk that he will be ready to take on later.
Winning Champions League is a dream for every player and many super star players did not win a single Champions League. Luka Modric has won five Champions League titles and he even won a Ballon d'Or as well as many La Liga titles with Real Madrid. In Croatia, he has been awarding as a best player of Croatia in many years. He can retire anytime he want without regret.
However he still plays very well at nearly 40s and it is another big surprise from Modric. He still don't want to leave Europe and I guess he wants to win one more Champions League with Real Madrid or want to win a title with Croatia. This summer he came very nearly to a first title with his national team but failed in a penalty shootouts by Spain.
Joining a Saudi Arabian club is a shortcut, especially for those players who have not been looked at by many European clubs, of course the money they will get is so tempting.
Joining a Saudi Arabia club and be rich is not too bad. I believe Modric will join that league soon, maybe after Euro 2024 as after that, it's impossible for him to aim at World Cup 2026.
Yes, winning a prestigious title is a dream for every player, and Luca Modric has earned it with Real Madrid, but that doesn't just make him satisfied and he still wants to wear a Real Madrid uniform when he is no longer young as he is today. And also he is showing a good game to make Real Madrid still want him to be on the list of squad names that will go through the next season. And also his ability on the pitch with his old age still really deserves to be in the squad.
Don't say a player is not looking at the money or must play in Europe, it's all about your choice, and mind you, some people choose poorly whether you like it or not, but it's their choice. And this still doesn't mean he would not get the offer next year as he only extended his contract by a year with Real Madrid, why not more if he so sees this the way you narrated?
For the record, most players always go for the best offer, and for those that have been well-decorated already, I see no reason why they can't play for the money in the few years remaining in their career. They should think of their retirement above anything else and learn from the former shining players that can no more afford to pay their hospital bills again.
I wouldn't say they don't play for money, because they are also working but their job is a paid hobby. It's clear that they really need money, moreover they will definitely retire and enjoy old age with their family, and of course that requires money. I think we understand when talking about money is the nominal, and it's true that it is a player's choice where they will play. But now it is clear that the nominal money offered will be more when he goes to Arabia.