Toni Kroos offered a reflection on his career and time at Real Madrid during an appearance at the club’s Graduate School ‘White Week’, providing insight into his retirement decision, the club’s culture, and the mentality that defined one of the most successful eras in football history.
A Retirement on His Own Terms
Kroos made it clear that stepping away from football was a carefully planned decision, rooted in his desire to leave at the highest possible level.
“I retired because I never wanted to reach a point where I didn’t feel
as good and started having physical problems. The feeling with the ball never goes away; I still have it. I was always clear that I wanted to leave the way I deserve, the way the club deserves, and the way I want the fans to remember me, because the last image is very important to me. I’m very happy with this decision; it was how I always wanted. I couldn’t plan to win the Champions League because I had decided that beforehand. In the end, everything turned out so well, with the Champions League and La Liga—it couldn’t be better.”
The Relentless Mentality of Real Madrid
Kroos also shed light on the unique pressure and ambition that defines Real Madrid, where success is never enough.
“I was hungry until the very end. Besides, when you won the Champions League, the next day the president would tell you to go for the next one. You can enjoy yourself for a few hours until the next day, when you hear from the president: ‘Very good, and we’ll see you here again next year, in the same place and with the same trophy.’ This seems silly, but it doesn’t let you relax. At this club, you have ‘Champions League, Champions League, Champions League’ constantly on your mind.”
A Team Built on Unity and Quality
Despite being part of a squad filled with superstars, Kroos stressed that collective purpose was the foundation of their success.
“We were a team. There were many great players, but we understood that, when the referee blew the whistle, we all wanted the same thing. We all wanted to win, and that was the key. We were also very good; if you’re a bad team, you don’t win Champions Leagues.”
The Magic of the Bernabéu
Kroos also reflected on the unique atmosphere of the Santiago Bernabéu and its impact on some of the club’s most famous comebacks.
“What’s possible at the Bernabeu isn’t possible in many stadiums. It generates a strength that it gives to the team and takes away from the opponent. There have been comebacks against teams you think are very stable and good. The Bernabéu helped us a lot in those situations. What makes the Bernabéu special is that they only need a moment to change the game… The team has grown a lot because it knows how to play with this, and there have been big opponents who weren’t able to string together three passes.”
A Family-Like Environment
Beyond trophies, Kroos highlighted the human side of Real Madrid, particularly the role of president Florentino Pérez in fostering a strong internal culture.
“After so much time here, I can say that it’s a very human club, very much like a family. And that always starts at the top. The way Florentino Pérez welcomed me from day one, the way he’s always spoken to me… But not just me, every time he goes into the dressing room. It’s something you can see from the outside too. He conveys something very human, and I’ve always valued that a lot about this club. I’ve been in many different dressing rooms here, many players have left and others have arrived, but that hasn’t changed. I’ve felt very comfortable at this club, very protected in difficult times, because we’ve experienced them too. And that’s what made it special. That’s also why this ending, because we wanted to say goodbye at the top.”
Still Following Madrid Closely
Even in retirement, Kroos continues to follow the team closely, offering praise for current players and performances.
“The team has been able to raise its level, adapting to the opponent and the importance of the match. They’ve played two very good games vs Manchester City. At home, number 8 [Fede Valverde] also helped us a lot; I like him a lot. Now the Germans (Bayern Munich) are coming.”
