Toni Kroos, the legendary German midfielder, has revealed the personal motivations behind his decision to retire from professional football after a highly successful tenure with Real Madrid. kroos emphasized that his departure was a proactive choice, driven by his desire to leave the game on his own terms, at the pinnacle of his career.
Speaking about his retirement, Kroos stated, “The best thing is to leave enthusiastically. You leave with a fantastic feeling as you are the one who made the decision.” He elaborated on his preference to step away before any external factors,such as a decline in performance or a loss of importance within the team,coudl dictate his exit. “I preferred to leave myself,” Kroos explained, “I wanted to avoid all of this. Neither my coach nor my family nor my body dictated to me the date of retirement.” He stressed the natural limitations of an athlete’s career, noting, “it is indeed not possible for a person to continue untill forty. Your body asks you to stop.”
Kroos also highlighted the critical role of a central defensive midfielder in modern football, drawing parallels to Manchester City’s struggles during Rodri’s absence. “There is a clear matter, which is that the central midfield center is essential in modern football, there is no doubt about that,” he observed. “When he is absent, when he is present, the matter is taken seriously. Matches are easier.”
Since hanging up his boots, Kroos has embraced his new identity as a Real Madrid fan. Reflecting on the team’s recent season, he acknowledged the public discourse surrounding his absence. “As my retirement, I became a Real Madrid fan. It is normal, after ten years here,” he said. “And I saw,like all the other team fans,that the season was not easy,and people were saying,’This is because of the absence of Toni Kroos.’ All I wanted is that things go on and stop saying that.”
The midfielder also shared his perspective on the intense scrutiny faced by footballers in Spain, a phenomenon he believes is amplified by the media. “Football players in Spain are strongly affected by the press and the fans, this is part of this sport,” Kroos commented. “The media’s pressure may be a little larger in Spain, but it is also present in Germany, and I think in other countries also.” He addressed the frequently enough unfair nature of football criticism, where a few good or bad performances can overshadow consistent quality. “True, you play three good games and suddenly you are in the world, and vice versa, and this is not true,” he stated. Kroos advised players to develop a resilient mindset, suggesting, “If you know how to accept it, it will be better for you; you will live a quieter life.”
Kroos concluded by offering advice to fellow players on navigating media attention. He differentiated between players who dismiss criticism and those who are deeply affected by it, emphasizing the importance of understanding the media’s motivations. “What the distinguished player must understand is that it is not a matter of personal issue at all, and that journalists do the work that their superiors ask them, and that what occupies them is the sale,” he explained.
