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Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up on his former Real Madrid teammate Toni Kroos' decision to retire from football. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner stated that he respects the midfielder's decision to hang up his boots.
Kroos surprised everyone by announcing his decision to retire at the end of last season. He had a fantastic 2023-24 campaign with Real Madrid, helping Carlo Ancelotti's side win the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League.
The former midfield maestro also returned from his international retirement to represent Germany at the UEFA European Championships 2024. He did exceptionally well for Julian Nagelsmann's side in the Euros as they made it to the quarter-finals, losing to eventual champions Spain.
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Cristiano Ronaldo claimed that Kroos had a few years of football left in him. However, the Portuguese superstar added that he respects his former teammate's decision. The Al Nassr attacker said, as quoted by Madrid Xtra:
"Kroos retirement? It’s the way he see’s it, we have to respect him. I respect his decision. He could play a few years more, but that’s his decision."
Toni Kroos enjoyed a stellar career for both club and country as he won 32 trophies in total. He was a key part of Germany's FIFA World Cup-winning side in 2014 and won the Champions League five times with Real Madrid and once with Bayern Munich.
The two-time German Footballer of the Year spent four seasons of his career alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabeu. The two stars played 171 games together, winning 116 games and had 16 joint goal participation.
Carlo Ancelotti reveals how Cristiano Ronaldo's former Real Madrid teammates see the Portuguese great
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has shed light on what Cristiano Ronaldo's former teammates think of him. The Portugal international spent nine years of his glittering career on the books of Los Blancos with Ancelotti in the dugout for a considerable period.
Ancelotti hailed Ronaldo for his professionalism and insisted that he is one of the greatest players to have graced the game. The Italian manager insisted that Ronaldo's teammates appreciated the superstar. Ancelotti told Marca (via Madrid Universal):
"He has been and continues to be a great professional. One of the best of all time. A legend, a great professional and an example. He has been a fantastic teammate, much appreciated by the rest of the players."
Cristiano Ronaldo became Real Madrid's record goalscorer following his then-record £80 million move from Manchester United in 2009. He scored 450 goals and produced 131 assists in 438 appearances for the Spanish giants and won 15 trophies.
