Real Madrid legend Kroos talks retirement decision and press relationship
Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has explained hanging up the boots last year.
Kroos surprised many by his decision to retire after featuring for Germany at the Euros last summer.
He recalled to El Pais: "I0didn't wake up one morning saying, 'I have to retire.' I thought about it for months. Last year I had already considered quitting, then I renewed my contract with Real Madrid for another year, as they really wanted me. But my idea was always to end it like this, and luckily I succeeded.”
For Kroos, it was crucial to leave football still having an influence: "It's better to leave at the best time. I'm leaving with a wonderful feeling, because I made the decision myself. I didn't want a coach, my family, or my body to tell me when to stop."
During the interview, Kroos also defended the often underrated role of a midfielder: "It's a key position in modern football, just look at what happened at Manchester City without Rodri. When he's there, everything works and no one notices. When he's gone, it's immediately noticeable."
He recalled how Real Madrid fans linked the team's difficulties to his absence: "Since I retired, I've been a Real Madrid fan. I've heard people say, 'Oh, it's because Kroos isn't here.' And I just hoped the team would function well and they'd stop saying that."
Finally, he spoke about the relationship between players and the press: “In Spain, there's a lot of passion and pressure, sometimes more than in Germany. The criticism? Sometimes it's unfair. But even when they over-hype you, it's not real. You have to know how to manage it.
"Some players are influenced, others laugh about it. But you have to understand that it's not personal: journalists are doing their job, trying to sell. There are good and bad players, just as there are good and bad journalists.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Amorim You still have us Isak has told the club he wants to explore other options. Bryan Mbuemo has picked Mo Salah as his greatest ever Premier League player This Arsenal fan seeing a European trophy for the first time ever... Moments before disaster. lol Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball...
Real Madrid are open to loaning Endrick to another team to avoid hindering his progress but the young striker's priority remains to stay at the Bernabeu to follow in the footsteps of Vinicius Júnior, a source told ESPN Brasil.The club paid Palmeiras €72 million ($84.5m) for Endrick in 2022 when the forward was still 16 in a move similar to those made previously for other Brazilian stars...
England left-back Shaw, 30, is aware of serious interest from Saudi clubs and is ready to listen to offers.Luke Shaw could be on his way out of Old TraffordHe still has two years left on his Old Trafford contract but fears his Red Devils career might be nearing an end.Shaw made just 12 appearances last season after missing the first three months with a prolonged calf problem and is facing limited ...
Alexander Isak is open to the possibility of a move away from Newcastle United this summer, with Liverpool the frontrunners to sign the forward if he becomes available, sources have told ESPN.Newcastle have consistently made clear their reluctance to offload the player, who has been omitted from Eddie Howe's 30-man squad for the club's preseason tour of Singapore and South Korea with the club citi...
Man Utd target Luiz desperate for Premier League returnManchester United target Douglas Luiz is reportedly desperate for a Premier League return as his relationship with Juventus has completely broken down.Newcastle line up Sesko swoop to replace IsakNewcastle United are interested in signing Benjamin Sesko if Alexander Isak leaves the club.Madrid youngster joins StuttgartReal Madrid have sold yet...
Man Utd face setback as Martinez eyes move to Saudi ArabiaAston Villa star Emiliano Martinez is reportedly tempted by a move to Saudi Arabia as Manchester United's efforts to sign him stall.According to Clarin, cited by Sport Witness, the Argentine has received an offer from the Saudi Pro League, and with time passing, a move there is increasingly likely.0This development comes as the Red Devils&#...
Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim talks with Alejandro Garnacho during the match vs Ipswich TownWith less than a month to go until the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season, transfer market action for many teams including Manchester United should start to ramp up over the next two to three weeks.Marcus Rashford's protracted move elsewhere has finally been sealed with the England in...
Man Utd learn new price for Sesko after Arsenal drop out of race for talented strikerManchester United have learnt the new price for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko which is cheaper than expected.United manager Ruben Amorim is pushing for his side to sign a new centre-forward as he does not believe in Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee who were extremely inconsistent in front of goal last season. ...
Arsenal confirm the signing of Cristhian Mosquera from ValenciaArsenal have completed the signing of defender Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia on a five year deal.Mosquera has joined up with his new team-mates in Singapore as Arsenal continue their Asian tour and joins after starting 37 of the 38 league matches for the La Liga side last season. Mosquera had entered the final year of his contract a...
Gibbs-White joins Forest preseason despite having Tottenham move blockedMorgan Gibbs-White has linked up with his Nottingham Forest team-mates in Portugal for preseason despite ongoing transfer drama.The England international who was the subject of a 360M bid from Tottenham earlier this month as Spurs triggered his release clause which in any other circumstance would then move the deal along for b...
- 1 Chelsea Deny Late Move to Hijack Man United Deal for Bryan Mbeumo
- 2 Liverpool ace Diaz agrees personal terms with Bayern Munich
- 3 Man City make move for Jules Kounde
- 4 Enzo Fernandez agrees Real Madrid move
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Diaz determined to leave for Bayern
- 8 AC Milan Reach Agreement with Brighton for Pervis Estupinan Transfer
- 9 'Man Utd are losing a great player!' - Paul Pogba reacts to Marcus Rashford's 'crazy' imminent transfer to Barcelona
- 10 Former Arsenal star Xhaka to reject Premier League return