Real Madrid Star Retires as One of Champions League’s Iconic Midfielders

Toni Kroos has announced his retirement from football. At 34 years old, the German meister has completed football.

He is a FIFA World Cup winner and bronze medallist, a multiple UEFA Champions League winner, a numerous league title winner, and the recipient of many individual accolades.

He is currently running for one more UCL title and his first ever UEFA European Championship, as he is part of Germany’s squad for the tournament they will be hosting.

The Real Madrid maestro is one of the best midfielders ever, especially in the Champions League.

The career of Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos joined Bayern Munich’s youth setup in 2006 as a 16-year-old after receiving youth football training from his hometown club.

The Bavarians identified his talents after he made a few appearances for the German youth setup and signed him to develop him further.

That plan changed as the midfield meister was already a brilliant player at 17, with many accolades attesting to his talents. From 2007 to 2014, he would prove to be one of the best midfield talents to come out of Germany, showing his talents on loan for Bayern Munich and Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

At that time, he won ten trophies, including every title in Germany, the UCL, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. He also became a vital part of the Germany national team squad that finished third at the 2010 World Cup, won the 2014 World Cup, and put in solid Euros performances in that window.

Then he moved to Real Madrid as a 24-year-old. There, he exploded as part of a brilliant midfield trio that included Croatia national team captain Luka Modric and Brazilian destroyer Casemiro. Their partnership rivalled the famed Iniesta-Xavi-Busquets trio of Barcelona, with whom they had many midfield battles.

Kroos has since grown into an “elder statesman” figure in the world of football, with many widely discussed opinions on the sport.

As stated earlier, Kroo’s retirement has been expected for a while. The veteran indicated that Real Madrid would be his final club, but many expected him to keep at it for a few more years.

And then, in what has become typical of him, he stunned the world by retiring at 34 years old to officially mark the end of an era in football. 

Toni Kroos in the Champions League

Toni Kroos and Real Madrid are preparing for their fifth Champions League final together. With a player like the German in their ranks, Real Madrid tickets will always be in high demand. 

They have won four together, making the German midfield general a five-time winner of Europe’s elite competition. Those numbers already make him one of the most successful players in the competition, but now, he is about to be untouchable depending on what form and state of mind Borussia Dortmund is in on 1 June 2024.

Ahead of that game and explaining his decision to retire after the 2024 Euros in his home country, Kroos wrote: “My life as a footballer – but especially as a person. It was the start of a new chapter at the biggest club in the world. After ten years, this chapter ends at the end of the season. I will never forget that insolent successful time!

“I would like to thank everyone who welcomed me with an open heart and trusted me. But mainly, I would like to thank you, dear Madridistas, for your affection and love from the first day until the last.

“I am happy and proud that in my mind, I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it on my own. My ambition was always to finish my career at the peak of my performance level.

“From now on, there is only one leading thought: a por la 15!!! HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS!”

A victory on 1 June will see him retire from Real Madrid with five Champions League titles.

Here are some of his records in the Champions League:

•       One of seven players with the most UCL title wins
•       Five-time UCL Squad of the Season member
•       Top 7 most UCL appearances (151)
•       Top 20 most Man of the Match awards in UCL (9 awards)

Toni Kroos Career Accolades

Here is a list of all the honours Toni Kroos has won.

Team honours

Individual Honours

Kroos has planned his retirement perfectly. He will leave Madrid after 465 official games before going to the Euros for one last attempt at capturing the European title.

He could still win several accolades, including the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season, the UEFA Euros Squad of the Season, and the German Player of the Year 2024.

Whatever happens in June, Toni Kroos will have etched his name into the annals of football history and the history of the Spanish La Liga giants.