"The relationship with Real Madrid will always be special” - Toni Kroos on possibility of returning to Los Blancos in the future

Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has kept open the possibility of returning to the club in some capacity in the future. The midfielder announced his retirement this summer.

Kroos' last game for Los Blancos was the UEFA Champions final, where Los Blancos beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the London final to win a record-extending 15th title. It also made Kroos one of four players to win the competition six times in its current avatar, the other three being his former Madrid teammates Luka Modric, Nacho Fernandez and Dani Carvajal.

Following his club football retirement, Kroos ended his international career with Germany at Euro 2024, where the hosts fell to eventual champions Spain 2-1 in the quarter-final.

Having enjoyed a legendary 10-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, it's not unfathomable that Kroos wouldn't return to the club in the future, albeit in a non-playing capacity.

“Given my closeness with Real Madrid … I’d never rule out doing something at the club at some point in the future”, he told Einfach mal Luppen (as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. “The relationship with Real Madrid will always be special”.

Toni Kroos registered 28 goals and 99 assists in 465 games across competitions for Madrid - winning 23 titles. Beyond the numbers, the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner was a colossus in the Los Blancos midfield and one of the first names in the team sheet.

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I didn't think Toni Kroos would leave such a big void at Real Madrid: Uli Stielike

Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos retired this summer.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Uli Stielike has said that he didn't foresee Los Blancos feeling the absence of Toni Kroos, after his compatriot's retirement this summer.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have missed a player of Kroos' calibre this season, with Los Blancos struggling in the middle of the park. However, following a slump, they returned to winning ways with a 4-0 La Liga home win over Osasuna at the weekend.

"I didn't think he would leave such a big void, but without Kroos, you can clearly see the absence of balance and calm, which is noticeable in the passing and the style of play," Stielike told Radio Marca (as per Footboom):

"Perhaps the current players lack his experience, and I hope that soon they can fill the gap he has left. But there is no other Kroos, just like there are no other Pelés or Maradonas, because they are unique players."

Los Blancos are six points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona but have a game in hand. In the Champions League, though, they are 18th, winning two of their four outings.