“If they are happy with it, everything is good” - Toni Kroos sheds light on addiction shared by Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric
Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has waxed lyrical of his former club teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric. Kroos retired this summer after an illustrious decade at the club.
The 34-year-old ended his Los Blancos career with 28 goals and 99 assists in 465 games across competitions since arriving from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2014.
Kroos achieved roaring success at the club, carving out a niche for himself in Los Blancos history, helping them win four La Liga and five UEFA Champions League titles, among others. He formed a superb partnership with Modric in the middle of the park during his entire spell and for four seasons with Ronaldo.
Having seen both legends from close quarters, Kroos couldn't help but marvel at their work ethic (as per Madrid Xtra):
“Cristiano and Luka are addicted to success during their career. That doesn't stop. And they have decided not to stop at the peak - like 95% of all players, by the way - but to enjoy football a little longer, and that is also a good way. And if they are happy with it, everything is good.”
While Ronaldo left the Bernabeu in 2018, Modric is still going strong, having extended his stay till 2025.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric's numbers for Real Madrid
Widely regarded as one of the best players in the game's history, Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 from Manchester United and posted staggering numbers.
In 438 games across competitoons, he registered an unbelievable 450 goals and 131 assists, winning two La Liga and four UEFA Champions League titles - three of them on the trot, and four of his five Ballon d'Or awards.
Meanwhile, Luka Modric arrived at the Bernabeu in the summer of 2012 from Tottenham Hotspur and has played 534 times across competitions, bagging 39 goals and 86 assists, winning the 2018 Ballon d'Or.
Notably, Kroos, Ronaldo and Modric were part of the historic Madrid team that won an unprecedented UEFA Champions League three-peat between 2016 and 2018 before Ronaldo moved to Juventus.