Toni Kroos Facts

Kroos in action for Real Madrid

Toni Kroos was easily Germany’s best player in their successful World Cup campaign but didn’t get the credit that he richly deserved. Nevertheless Real Madrid took notice of his brilliance in Brazil and promptly signed him from Bayern Munich this summer. It’s really been a roller coaster ride for the 24-year-old who went from being a late bloomer to one of the top midfielders in the world.

The outrageously talented Germany is extremely versatile in the midfield and is capable of operating as a creative midfielder as well as a holding midfielder. Kroos’ ability to dictate play from the centre of the park is so incredible that in the Champions League match against Arsenal earlier this year he had more touches of the ball than the entire Arsenal team, which is a mammoth achievement to say the least.

The youngster was born on 4th January 1990 to Roland, an amateur wrestler and youth coach at Hansa Rostock (one of Kroos’ earlier clubs) and Birgit Kroos. Toni also has a younger brother named Felix who plays as a midfielder for Werder Bremen.

Kroos began his career with his hometown club Greifswal SC where he developed a reputation as a slow learning but promising midfielder. The midfielder later transferred to his father’s club Hansa Rostock before being signed up by Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in 2006. Kroos was so promising at Hansa that the club stated that he was the “sort that comes once every 20 years”

Kroos developed slowly at Bayern which was highlighted by the club’s former chairman Uli Hoeness who also stated that he is delighted with the way the youngster developed into a world class star. He was sent on loan to Bayer Leverkusen, who were managed by future Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes, for two seasons in 2008. It was at Leverkusen that he developed into the player he is today. Kroos credits much of his success to Heynckes, whom he shares a close bond with.

After returning from his loan Kroos became an integral part of the Bavarian outfit and helped them lift many trophies including the Champions League, 3 Bundesliga titles, 3 DFB Pokai titles among others. Kroos’ genius as a midfielder attracted the attention of Manchester United but the player eventually signed for Real Madrid where he has already won his first trophy in the form of the UEFA Super Cup.

Notable former players and coaches have praised Kroos with former Netherlands great Johan Cruyff saying "He’s doing everything right: the pace in his passes is great and he sees everything. It’s nearly perfect.” Kroos’ national coach Joachim Low also praised him saying "How Toni distributes the ball, how he receives it, is very good. He's technically excellent ... He has made progress in the last few matches, I'm extremely satisfied with the player."

Coming to his personal side Kroos is an extremely confident individual. In fact he stated that he was a very confident person by nature during an interview back in 2012. He is fiercely competitive and hates to warm the bench which was one of the reasons why he left Bayern Munich, who adopted player rotation under Pep Guardiola.

Kroos with his girlfriend Jessica

Kroos has been in a relationship with Jessica Farber since a long time and had a son with her named Leon on 14th August 2013.

The 24-year-old’s brother, Felix, is also a talented footballer and won the Talent Of The Year Award in 2007.

Kroos’ Adipure Boots

Toni Kroos is sponsored by Adidas and wears their Adipure boots on the field.

I’d like to close the Toni Kroos facts article by saying that the midfielder has a golden chance to do what he does best in the La Liga providing him with the opportunity to cement his status as the best attacking midfielder in the world.