After ten years as Real Madrid’s midfield strategist, Toni Kroos ended his career in the summer of 2024. The 36-year-old could return to the Whites in a different role for the coming season.
For years, Toni Kroos shaped Real Madrid’s midfield alongside Luka Modric and Casemiro, winning five of his six Champions League titles with the Croatian and the Brazilian during this time alone.
While the tireless Modric (40) may even continue to play for AC Milan beyond this summer and Casemiro (34) will leave Manchester United at the end of the season, Kroos has declared his career over in 2024 after ten years in Madrid. Meanwhile, the 2014 world champion continues to live in the Spanish capital with his family – and could return to work for his former club in the near future.
No clarity yet on possible role
“Real Madrid are preparing Kroos’ return”, headlined the Spanish sports daily AS on Sunday. According to the report, there is “consensus within the club that the return of the former midfielder could be a decisive factor for the future. It is believed that the time has come for his return.”
The decision to bring Kroos back has already been made by the Whites. In contrast to the role “that will be assigned to him in the event of a definitive agreement to return to the place that remains his home”.
Real’s president backs Kroos’ return
The 36-year-old still has an “excellent” relationship with Real president Florentino Perez, who is said to be pushing for the German’s return himself. Perez made no secret of his admiration for the former world-class midfielder when he announced Kroos’ retirement: “Toni Kroos is one of the greatest players in the history of Real Madrid and this club is and will remain his home. “
It remains speculation for the time being that Kroos will actually make his comeback in a different role – especially as the Whites recently denied a report in another media outlet that falsely reported the planned appointment of a sporting director.
Real’s full focus is now on next Wednesday anyway, when they will face FC Bayern in the second leg of the CL quarter-final in Munich’s Allianz Arena after the 2-1 defeat. Kroos lifted the trophy for the first time in 2013 while playing for Munich.
