Toni Kroos: Real Madrid’s unsung superstar proving he is far from finished among new wave of Galacticos
Thomas Muller shouted – loudly. He’d seen Toni Kroos’ pass before anyone else, and could only watch as his international team-mate threaded a defence-splitting ball that took three Bayern Munich players out of the game, and set up Vinicius Jr for an easy finish.
That moment – one that sent Muller into a near-comical fit of rage – was emblematic of Kroos’ season in Madrid white. He is assisting at his best rate in three years, while pinging the ball around with the same vigour that made him one of the best midfielders in Europe for so long.
Kroos, once assumed to be on his way out of the Spanish capital, is a player reborn this season, and central to Los Blancos’ pursuit of a domestic-European double. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has made Kroos indispensable, a regular in a well-balanced midfield and a crucial part of a team that is two wins away from a 16th European Cup.
‘Moment of transition’
This all looked highly unlikely just over a year ago. The 2022-23 campaign was a difficult one for Madrid as Barcelona, though flawed as a side, ran away with La Liga, while Los Blancos’ Champions League hopes were ended in comprehensive fashion by a rampant Manchester City.
There were question marks all over the pitch, but Kroos was singled out by fans and his manager alike as a potential problem. In January 2023, Ancelotti even seemed to suggest that both Kroos and his long-time midfielder partner Luka Modric should prepare for a “moment of transition.” It was all very cryptic, but the message was clear: Kroos might be on his way out.
Such a decision would have made sense, too. Kroos had just one year left on his contract, while the arrival of Jude Bellingham – which was well on the way to being finalised at the time – figured to usher in a new era for Ancelotti’s side. And with Kroos’ performance levels leaving a lot to be desired, the German could perhaps have few complaints about his time at the top coming to an end.