Toni Kroos, one of the most decorated midfielders of his generation, has spoken about his retirement and how he views Real Madrid’s recent challenges. The German maestro, who hung up his boots at the end of the 2023/24 season, insists he does not want his departure to be used as an excuse for the team’s difficulties. After a decade in white, Kroos has transitioned from player to supporter.
Yet even as a fan, he remains in the spotlight, with many still attributing Madrid’s struggles to his absence in midfield. In an interview with El País, he addressed this narrative directly. “Since I finished my career, I have become a Real Madrid fan. This is normal after 10 years of playing for the club. I, like all the other fans of the team, saw that last season was not easy. People said: ‘Aaah, it’s because Toni Kroos is gone!’ All I want is for Real Madrid to do well and for them [the fans] to stop saying that,” Kroos said.
Kroos joined Real Madrid in 2014 from Bayern Munich and immediately became an indispensable part of the squad. Alongside Luka Modrić and Casemiro, he formed one of the most iconic midfields in football history. Known for his calmness under pressure, pinpoint passing, and ability to control tempo, Kroos was the metronome that allowed Real Madrid to dominate Europe. During his 10 years at the Bernabéu, Kroos amassed an extraordinary trophy haul: 4 Champions League titles (2016, 2017, 2018, 2022) 4 La Liga championships 1 Copa del Rey 5 FIFA Club World Cups 3 Spanish Super Cups 3 UEFA Super Cups
His career at Madrid coincided with one of the club’s most successful eras, and his consistency across hundreds of matches made him a symbol of reliability. When he announced his retirement at the age of 34, many fans worried that his absence would leave a hole too large to fill.Real Madrid has always been a club that plans for the future, and even before Kroos retired, the club had invested in young midfielders such as Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Federico Valverde. These players represent the new generation tasked with continuing Madrid’s dominance.
Still, the transition has not been easy. The 2024/25 season brought challenges, from injuries to inconsistent results, and many fans and pundits pointed to Kroos’ retirement as a turning point. His absence in midfield has been frequently highlighted whenever Madrid struggles to control games or break down opponents. For Kroos, however, this kind of comparison is unfair to the players currently carrying the team. “I don’t want people to say Real Madrid has problems because Toni is not there anymore,” he explained. Instead, he emphasized that the focus should be on supporting the squad and trusting that the new generation will grow into their roles.
Now retired, Kroos views himself as one of millions of Real Madrid fans. He admitted that watching matches from the stands or on television is a different experience, but his emotional connection to the club remains just as strong. Becoming a fan after being a player for so long, he explained, is a natural evolution. His love for Madrid is not just professional—it has become personal. After 10 years in Spain, countless triumphs, and an unbreakable bond with the Bernabéu faithful, Kroos continues to cheer for Los Blancos, even if his role is no longer on the pitch. Kroos also knows that football evolves quickly. Legends come and go, and clubs must adapt. Real Madrid, he insists, will always find a way to remain competitive, no matter who leaves. His only wish is for fans to look forward with optimism rather than backward with regret.
Toni Kroos’ words reflect both humility and loyalty. He does not want to be remembered as the reason for Madrid’s difficulties after his departure. Instead, he hopes supporters will embrace the present, trust the squad, and stop using his name as a reference point for shortcomings. Kroos’ decade at Real Madrid will be remembered as one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
His precision, intelligence, and composure made him irreplaceable for years, but his retirement is not the end of Madrid’s story. As he now joins the fans in cheering from the stands, Kroos’ message is clear: Real Madrid must look forward, not back. For Los Blancos supporters, the challenge is to honor Kroos’ legacy without burdening the team with constant comparisons. For the new generation of midfielders, the task is to forge their own history and ensure Madrid continues its tradition of excellence.
