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October 22, 2024

Toni Kroos Reveals How He Broached His Retirement with Carlo Ancelotti

Toni Kroos officially retired at the end of last season, but announcing his retirement to Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti proved challenging. In a recent interview, the legendary midfielder disclosed that Ancelotti had anticipated that he would continue at the Bernabéu for at least another year, which made the conversation about his retirement all the more difficult.

Kroos decided to retire at the pinnacle of his career, having celebrated a successful season culminating in Real Madrid securing the La Liga title. His final match for the club was the victorious Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.

With the La Liga title wrapped up in early May, Kroos found a moment to discuss his future with Ancelotti, free from the pressures of a title race. This timing allowed him to prepare for a farewell to the Madrid fans. However, despite this opportunity, the moment was still challenging for Ancelotti to accept, as the coach had hoped to see the midfielder—widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time—continue to play for at least one more season.

“It was very difficult for me to tell Carlo because he expected me to stay and because we had and still have a very good relationship. He was my first coach here and it was not easy to tell him, but everything in life has an end,” Kroos explained in a lengthy interview with Marca.

“It wasn’t easy. I knew he wouldn’t be angry, but he would be a bit sad. It wasn’t an easy moment for me either, because something that had been very special was coming to an end. I tried to choose a good moment, an easy moment and I was lucky that we won La Liga by a margin and I said ‘now!’

“Because there was the perfect time between La Liga and the Champions League final. It would have been more difficult if we were playing for La Liga because I didn’t want this issue to be above everything else.”

Kroos added that he wanted to tell each of his teammates personally and did so “one by one” rather than announcing it in front of the whole group, spending a little longer talking with players he had developed a closer relationship with.

“I didn’t want the news to reach a website or a newspaper first, and I did it all in one or two days,” he continued. “I told some people before the news came out, because I deserved for the news to come out when I wanted. And it was the same with the club, I told them and they told me to communicate it when I wanted. Fortunately, nothing came out before, which was a surprise, to be honest.”

Toni Kroos Reflects on His Best Moment at Real Madrid

Toni Kroos has taken a moment to reflect on his illustrious career at Real Madrid, choosing a surprising standout moment that doesn’t involve one of his five Champions League titles with the club.

The midfielder announced his retirement this summer, concluding his playing career after Germany’s quarter-final exit from Euro 2024. His final match in club football was the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. This venue holds special significance for Kroos, as it was also the site of his first European title in 2013 when he played for Bayern Munich.

In addition to his Champions League successes, Kroos celebrated winning La Liga for the fourth time in his last season. However, he feels that none of the trophies he lifted while wearing Madrid’s colors can compare to the heartfelt farewell he received from the club and its fans.

“It’s difficult [to pick one standout moment], yes, but the farewell will always be in my heart,” Kroos explained to Marca.

The 34-year-old revealed that he chose to wait until the final stages of last season to inform Carlo Ancelotti, the club, and his teammates about his retirement, doing so after securing the La Liga title. He made his decision public just four days before Real Madrid’s final domestic match at the Bernabéu against Real Betis. This game served as both his farewell to the fans and an opportunity for them to express their gratitude for his remarkable ten-year tenure with the club.

“The day of Betis, with La Liga won, was very special, because I felt that 85,000 people went to the Bernabeu that day to see me, to say goodbye,” Kroos said.

“It was a very beautiful moment, simple but heartfelt. I haven’t seen the moment replayed, but I have seen individual images and it was impressive. What I’m saying is, I’ve won a lot, but I’ll always carry that moment in my heart.”

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