Toni Kroos (foto: Official TW/IG/FB account)
Toni Kroos has opened up about Real Madrid’s difficult 2023–24 season, revealing behind-the-scenes pressure and how defensive injuries disrupted the team’s usual dominance from the back.
Toni Kroos, one of the greatest midfielders of the modern era, may have retired from football in July 2024, but his connection with Real Madrid remains strong—and so does his insight into the club’s inner workings.
In a recent interview with Italian media, Kroos gave a candid analysis of Madrid’s turbulent season and revealed some lesser-known aspects of the atmosphere inside the dressing room. “Many people don’t know this,” he said, “but at Real you can feel it immediately when things aren’t going well—after just one mistake. It’s not just any club.”
Kroos emphasized how injuries in the backline disrupted the team’s ability to control games. “You expect Real Madrid to set the tone from the back,” he said. “To do that, you need the right players. Injuries in defence made it very difficult to play against top teams.”
Reflecting on the challenging campaign, Kroos compared it to a similar slump in 2019 and offered a message of optimism. “Sometimes a season like this happens. What matters now is how the club handles the summer. I’m sure Real Madrid will soon return to where they belong.”
The German legend stepped away from football with an incredible trophy haul that includes five Champions League titles and four La Liga titles with Madrid. His final season ended on a high, lifting both La Liga and the Champions League before saying goodbye on the international stage with Germany at Euro 2024.
While Kroos is still enjoying his time away from the game, fans and pundits alike are eager to see if he’ll return in a new role—perhaps at the club where he became a legend.