“This decision doesn’t depend on a player who comes or goes” - Toni Kroos when asked if he was curious to play with Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid
Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has responded to questions suggesting that he may have decided to delay his retirement to play with Kylian Mbappe. The German great retired from professional football in the summer after featuring for his country at the Euros on home soil.
Kroos featured for some of Europe's biggest clubs in Bayern Munich and Real Madrid before choosing to end his career this summer aged 34. Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti was hopeful of his star midfielder rescinding his decision to end his career, but the German star had his mind made up.
Toni Kroos played with some of the world's best players throughout his career, including Ballon d'Or winners Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. The former midfielder, however, missed out on an opportunity to play alongside France captain Mbappe, who joined the club this summer for free.
Kroos spoke to Marca about his retirement, revealing that Mbappe's arrival had no impact on his decision to end his career.
"If I was curious to play with Mbappé? No. This decision doesn't depend on a player who comes or goes, this was my decision. I knew Mbappé was coming and I'm happy because he's going to help the team. It could have been two years ago, but now he's finally here. But Mbappé didn't influence my decision."
Kroos played 465 times in a Real Madrid shirt, scoring 28 goals and providing 99 assists in his time at the Santiago Bernabeu. The German star won the UEFA Champions League six times and LaLiga four times, also winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany.
Kylian Mbappe moved to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), having been linked with a move to Spain since 2022. The Frenchman has hit the ground running in Spain, with six goals in nine league appearances for the club.
Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos plays down talk of Ballon d'Or pursuit
Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has played down talks of him potentially winning the 2024 Ballon d'Or after a strong year for club and country. The former midfielder was named as part of the 30-man shortlist to win the prestigious award this year.
With just a week left until the winners of the Ballon d'Or are announced on October 28, Kroos spoke with Mundo Deportivo about the award. He revealed that he was not gunning for the award, instead tipping one of Dani Carvajal, Jude Bellingham, or Vinicius Jr to win it instead.
He said:
“The Ballon d’Or is not important to me. If someone from Real Madrid wins it, I’m fine. Vini deserves it, Jude deserves it and Carvajal deserves it, but I don’t care.”
Kroos helped Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League and the Spanish league in his final season with the club. He also returned to action for Germany at Euro 2024, featuring in all five games for Die Mannschaft as they lost to eventual winners Spain in the quarterfinal.