Toni Kroos retirement from professional football was announced after Germany’s quarter-final exit in the 2024 EUROS on the 6th of July, 2024.
The player announced after Germany’s 2:1 loss to Spain, who eventually emerged as the winner of the 2024 EUROS.
And despite the heart-breaking defeat, Mikel Merino heading in the winner in the 119th minute, the 34-year-old insists the future is bright for Germany.
“Every game could be my last game for a few weeks now, but today is the last game, and I’m proud of our team,” Kroos told AP.
Let’s revisit Toni Kroos’s time as a football player, starting with his childhood and transitioning into football.
Toni Kroos Retirement: A childhood that shaped a football legend.
Toni Kroos, aged 34, born 4th of January, 1990, the German midfield maestro, also known as the German Sniper, has been mesmerizing football fans with his exceptional skills and vision on the pitch.
However, before becoming a household name, Kroos had a humble and fascinating childhood that played a significant role in shaping him into the player he is today.
If you want insights into a man’s present, look into his past. Let’s get into it!
Life in Greifswald
Born on January 4, 1990, in Greifswald, East Germany, Kroos spent his early years in the small town of Meisdorf, near the city of Griebo.
His parents, Bernd and Birgit Kroos were both sports enthusiasts who encouraged their children to engage in various activities from a young age. Toni’s older brother, Felix Kroos, also became a professional footballer.
Discovering Football
Kroos’s love affair with football began at the age of 7 when he joined the local club Greifswalder SC. His talent and dedication quickly caught the attention of coaches, leading to a move to Hansa Rostock’s youth academy at 8 years old.
During his time at Hansa Rostock, Kroos developed his skills and learned the fundamentals of the game.
Football; A Family Affair.
In no time, football became a family affair as the two brothers got their parents to attend every match, cheering them on and offering support.
Eventually, Toni’s brother, Felix, was a significant influence on his early career, often providing guidance and encouragement.
Toni Kroos retirement: Stats at country and clubs.
Toni Kroos had notable success playing for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid at the professional level while also representing the German national team.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of his stats and achievements:
Toni Kroos Stats
At Bayern Munich (2007-2014)
– Appearances: 205
– Goals: 24
– Assists: 49
– Trophies: 3 Bundesliga titles, 3 DFB-Pokal, and 1 German Super Cup.
Kroos joined Bayern Munich’s youth academy in 2006 and made his professional debut in 2007. He was only used sparingly by the team and opted for an 18-month loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen, having 48 appearances while scoring 10 goals and registering 13 assists.
He returned to Bayern Munich a better version of himself, and it wasn’t long before he became a regular starter by the 2010 season, and became a core member of the Bundesliga giant’s midfield trio.
Playing at Bayern Munich provided Toni Kroos to play and learn from great midfielders such as Phillip Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger, which provided him the platform to hone his skills under their leadership.
During his time at Bayern, Kroos developed into a skilled playmaker, known for his vision, passing range, and set-piece expertise.
At Real Madrid (2014-2024)
– Appearances: 465
– Goals: 28
– Assists: 99
– Trophies: 4 La Liga titles, 1 Copa del Rey, 6 Champions League titles, 5 UEFA Super Cups, 6 FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP, 4 Spanish Super Cups.
It was at Real Madrid Toni Kroos became a big name in the football world. Kroos joined Real Madrid in 2014 for a reported €25 million fee.
He quickly established himself as a key player, starting in the midfield alongside Luka Modrić and James Rodríguez. Over time, the midfield trio grew into an unstoppable that was largely responsible for feeding Real Madrid’s attacking BBC trio ( Bale Benzema Cristiano).
His formidable midfield trio with Casemiro and Modric, who were instrumental in Real Madrid’s 3 consecutive UCL triumphs in 2015, 2016, and 2017, remains one of the greatest and most decorated midfield trios in football history!
Even as age began to catch up with him, Toni Kroos’s vision and accuracy didn’t age. At 33 years of age, he was among the top-ranked La Liga players in terms of passing accuracy.
He also served as a role model to Aurelien Tchouamani, Dani Ceballos, and Jude Bellingham who would be tasked with filling the vacuum he left behind.
At The German National Team (2010-2024)
– Appearances: 114
– Goals: 17
– Assists: 21
– Trophies: 2014 FIFA World Cup, 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup
Kroos made his international debut in 2010 and has since become a regular starter for Germany. He played a crucial role in Germany’s 2014 World Cup victory, scoring two goals in the semifinal against Brazil.
Kroos has also represented Germany at the European Championship and the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Toni Kroos retirement: Individual Awards, Trophies, and Net Worth.
Toni Kroos is a highly decorated German professional footballer who has achieved immense success at both club and international levels.
Here’s a comprehensive look at his awards, trophies, and net worth:
Toni Kroos’s Individual Awards:
– UEFA Best Player in Europe (2017-2018)
– UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season (2017-2018)
– FIFA FIFPro World11 (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)
– UEFA Team of the Year (2014, 2016, 2017)
– Bundesliga Team of the Season (2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013)
– La Liga Team of the Season (2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017)
– German footballer of the year (2018)
Toni Kroos’s Trophies:
– 3 Bundesliga titles (2007-2008, 2012-2013, 2013-2014)
– 3 DFB-Pokal (2007, 2012, 2013)
– 1 German Supercup (2013)
– 4 La Liga titles (2016-2017, 2019-2020, 2021-2022, 2023-2024)
– 1 Copa Del Rey (2022-2023)
– 4 Spanish Super Cup ( 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023)
– 6 UEFA Champions League titles (2012-2013, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2021-2022, 2023-2024)
– 5 UEFA Super Cups (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022)
– 6 FIFA Club World Cups (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023)
– 2014 FIFA World Cup
– 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup
Toni Kroos Net Worth:
Toni Kroos net worth is estimated to be around $25million. His primary source of income was his salary from Real Madrid, which is reportedly around €20 million (£17 million) per year.
Additionally, he earns money through endorsements, sponsorships, and bonuses.
Endorsements:
Kroos has partnered with several brands, including:
– Adidas
– Audi
– Hublot
– Beats Electronics
– Pepsi
Philanthropy;
Kroos is involved with various charitable initiatives, including:
– UNICEF
– German Red Cross
– Stiftung Jugendfußball (Youth Football Foundation)
Final thoughts:
What better way to put an end to such a well-written career? Toni Kroos has given a lot to football, and it’s just about time for him to begin to enjoy the beautiful game from afar.
Toni Kroos retirement from professional football is indeed one befitting of a legend. He left behind a legacy as “The German Sniper” and he would always be remembered for his creativity, vision, and finesse with the ball.
He leaves the big game with a total of 718 appearances, 62 goals, and 161 assists during his time at Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and the German National team.
His retirement would be a tough blow to the German national team and Real Madrid, and we all look forward to how the two teams cope without their star midfielder.
Do you think Madrid’s and Germany’s midfield would be the same any longer?
Can there be a replacement for Toni Kroos on each team?
Or, do you think Toni Kroos can become a coach later in the years as he already has an academy of his own?
Let me know what you think!