After bringing down the curtain on a golden football career in the summer of 2024, retired German star Toni Kroos, the midfield maestro and one of the game's greatest legends of the last decade, revealed his all-time picks for the best players he played alongside during his professional career. These statements paint a picture of a golden era led by Kroos in the Real Madrid jersey, where he played 465 official matches, scoring 28 goals and providing 93 assists, contributing to 23 titles for the Royal Club, including five historic Champions League trophies.
Ancelotti... more than just a coach
Speaking about his coaching abilities, Kroos didn't hesitate to choose Italian Carlo Ancelotti as the best manager he has ever worked under. This choice not only reflects tactical successes but also highlights the human side of the veteran coach. Ancelotti's two stints with Kroos (2014-2015 and 2021-2024) were characterized by calm and mutual trust, which perfectly complemented Kroos's cool and composed personality on the pitch. The German star emphasized that Ancelotti's exceptional ability to manage a star-studded dressing room and his sophisticated psychological approach to players were the decisive factors in his preference for him over other big names who have coached him, such as Pep Guardiola, Zinedine Zidane, and Jupp Heynckes.
Ronaldo and the golden partnership
On the player front, Kroos chose Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, the current captain of Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr, as the greatest player he has ever played alongside. The pair shared a dressing room at Real Madrid between 2014 and 2018, a period that saw Los Blancos achieve absolute European dominance. Kroos was the playmaker who provided Ronaldo with crucial passes, forming a partnership that contributed to Real Madrid's historic three consecutive Champions League titles, an unprecedented achievement in the modern era of the competition.
Real Madrid... the most important club and the most beautiful stadium
Despite his strong start with Bayern Munich and winning the historic treble in 2013, Toni Kroos settled the debate by choosing Real Madrid as the best club he has played for, preferring them to the Bavarian giants. This choice reflects the radical transformation in Kroos' career, as he went from a talented player in Germany to a global icon in Spain. He also chose the Santiago Bernabéu as the best stadium he has played in, ahead of the Allianz Arena, describing the atmosphere of European nights at the Bernabéu as unparalleled.
Cardiff's eternal memory
Reflecting on his memories, Kroos singled out the 2017 Champions League final in Cardiff as his best final appearance. That night, Real Madrid crushed Juventus 4-1 in a match that showcased the dominance of Madrid's midfield trio of Kroos, Modric, and Casemiro – a trio considered one of the best in football history. Toni Kroos's retirement marks the end of an era characterized by German precision and Madrid magic, leaving behind a legacy that will be difficult to replicate and a tactical void that Real Madrid will strive to fill in the coming years.
