Six triumphant stints in the Champions League. - German icon: Toni Kroos' impact matches that of Walter, Beckenbauer, and Matthäus
Toni Kroos seems to have achieved everything flawlessly, at least on the outside. At the weekend, the 34-year-old won the Champions League final in London against Borussia Dortmund, earning his sixth title. He was nearly as prolific as his teammates Modric, Fernandez, Carvajal, and the former Real Madrid star Gento when it came to hoisting the iconic trophy. It was also his last game for Real Madrid, where he had played for a decade. During this time, he accumulated a remarkable 24 titles and 34 in total.
For Kroos, the European Championship in Germany is the next challenge, and then his football journey will come to an end. It's worth mentioning: Kroos' decision to leave is as clever as his pass play. He's choosing to retire after the EM at the pinnacle of his career. After a 17-year professional career, one of the most remarkable in German soccer, even if he doesn't add the EM title to his impressive collection of trophies.
The Greatest German Footballer is Not Just Defined by the Number of Titles
The query remains, where does Toni Kroos rank among the greatest German footballers? Is he on par with Walter, Beckenbauer, or Matthaus? If you just focus on the number of titles, you can't come to a conclusion. Walter won only five titles, including being double German champion and double French zone champion with 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
Back then, times were different. The European cup competitions didn't exist, or they were just emerging. There were no national or international supercups or even a Club World Cup (in this competition alone, Kroos has won six of his 34 titles). Walter became a German legend due to his role as captain in leading the national team to the first World Cup title in 1954 and became an inseparable part of the founding myth of the FRG. Walter was not just a skilled footballer but also had charm and embodied an ideal image of the era.
Similar is the case with Beckenbauer, who won all the top titles. He was the European champion, dominated the Champions League with Bayern Munich in the 70s, and won the World Cup as a player and coach. In 2006, Beckenbauer orchestrated the Summer Fairy Tale. Beckenbauer, along with Walter, is the greatest icon of German football. Matthaus also occupies this space, albeit with a slight gap. The Franconian is the only German player to be elected World Footballer. That was in 1991, before Matthaus, who played for Inter Milan at the time, led Germany as captain to the World Cup title in 1990. He never won the Champions League title.
And now Kroos. The native of Greifswald stands out due to the duration of his career, his impressive trophy haul, his consistency at the highest level. He's considered great because his play also matters. Charisma combined with a certain edge (as evidenced by his heated ZDF interview) is part of this status. His career was entirely scandal-free and ended with the perfect final act at the London Wembley Stadium, which is still a mystery, see EM. Whoever wants to know how Kroos is viewed in Madrid should simply look at the images from his farewell at the Bernabeu Stadium last week. The fans of the world's most significant and successful club celebrated him like no other for a long time. Even Ronaldo's farewell was not as big or emotional. "Thank you, legend" was written on a huge banner in the stadium. Real Madrid recognized the unique caliber of Kroos from the very beginning.
The native Cross-Toni is, without a doubt, the greatest passer the world has ever seen. "Sueddeutsche Zeitung" calculates his pass accuracy's never fallen below 92% in the past ten years. In the last two years, it's been above 95%. That's an almost genius level of precision. Kroos also developed a fierce competitiveness in his later years. It's said that he even taunted his opponents.
In Germany, the land of critics and know-it-alls, these talents would've been appreciated sooner. Instead, they coined the derogatory term "Cross-Toni" for the passer. The young Kroos was never recognized as a top player like Goetze and Robben by the Germans. That could've been the reason he was allowed to leave as a world champion in 2014. Thereafter, he formed the best midfield trio with Casemiro and Modric, which is considered the best in history. From 2016 to 2018, Real Madrid won the Champions League three times in a row under coach Zidane. No team in modern football has ever achieved this feat.
If Toni Kroos secures the European Championship (EM) title, he'll become a deity in Germany. It's tough to picture the exact divine status Kroos would obtain should the German squad obtain the coveted EM trophy. However, this is just speculation for now. It's undeniable that Kroos is not fatigued as he enters the last phases of his career. "It's not right to approach the EM without aspiring to win the title," Kroos stated in London, contemplating the upcoming European Championship. We're not even close to being the favorites, but it's instinctual for me: when I compete in a tournament, of course I want to triumph!
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Kroos' victory in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund in London marked his sixth title in this competition, matching the achievements of Real Madrid legends like Modric, Carvajal, and Gento. His decision to retire after the European Championship in Germany, where he hopes to win the championship title, has been met with admiration, highlighting his smart career management.
Although Toni Kroos' trophy count matches that of German football icons like Lothar Matthäus, Fritz Walter, and Franz Beckenbauer in terms of numbers, his career longevity, consistency at the highest level, and precision in passing set him apart. The SZ, Germany's renowned newspaper, calculates Kroos' pass accuracy as never falling below 92% in the last ten years, with a recent spike above 95%.
Mario Gento, a former Real Madrid star, was one of Kroos' teammates who joined him in hoisting the Champions League trophy numerous times. Borussia Dortmund, a formidable German rival, was the unfortunate opponent in the 2023 Champions League final, which Real Madrid won in a thrilling contest.
Toni Kroos has left an indelible mark on Real Madrid's history, having played for the club for a decade and earning 24 titles and 34 in total. His farewell at the Bernabeu Stadium was a fitting tribute to his remarkable career, with the fans expressing their love and appreciation for the world-class midfielder.
The debate on whether Kroos belongs in the pantheon of Germany's greatest footballers continues, given his impressive record of titles and his status as one of the world's best passers. Although he may not have achieved the same level of international success as Beckenbauer, Kroos' consistency, skill, and charisma make him a standout figure in German football history.
Before Kroos, German legends like Fritz Walter and Franz Beckenbauer dominated the sport, winning numerous titles and leaving indelible marks on German football. Their legacies live on in the hearts and minds of German fans, and Toni Kroos hopes to add to this rich history with his performance in the European Championship.
The victory against Borussia Dortmund not only brought Real Madrid its sixth Champions League title but also marked a significant milestone in Toni Kroos' career. His last game for the club was a fitting end to a decade that saw him establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the world.
Despite his accomplishments, Toni Kroos remains humble and focused on his goals, which include leading Germany to the European Championship title and etching his name further into German football history. With his unique combination of skill, consistency, and charisma, Kroos has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the sport, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of German footballers.
The influence of German football icons like Lothar Matthäus, Fritz Walter, and Franz Beckenbauer continues to resonate in the sport, with Toni Kroos embodying the same spirit of excellence and professionalism. As he embarks on his final challenge with the German national team, Kroos aims to join these legends in the pantheon of Germany's greatest footballers, defining his greatness not just by the number of titles but by his remarkable career, consistent performance at the highest level, and enduring impact on German football.
