In his first interview since retiring, Toni Kroos reflected on his decision to step away from football and the challenges he faced in sharing the news with those closest to him. Speaking to MARCA, Kroos admitted that telling his son and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was particularly difficult.

"The hardest part was telling my eldest son," Kroos said. "He's been to four Champions League finals and has unforgettable memories of watching me on TV and at the stadium. It was tough for him to accept that his dad wouldn't be playing anymore."

Kroos also found it challenging to inform Ancelotti, with whom he shares a strong bond: "It was hard because we had, and still have, a very good relationship. He was my first coach at Real Madrid, and I knew he'd be sad, though not angry. I waited for the right moment—between winning LaLiga and the Champions League final—to break the news."

Kroos mentioned that he informed his teammates individually, respecting their unique relationships, and ensured the club and his colleagues knew before the news became public. He also appreciated how Madrid respected his decision and allowed him to announce it on his terms.

While Madrid tried to persuade him to stay, Kroos stood firm: "Everyone knows me well after these ten years. They knew that once I made a well-thought-out decision, there was no turning back."

The German legend believes that his decision to retire at Real Madrid was appreciated by the fans. "I think the fact that I stayed true to my word—retiring here as I promised—meant a lot to the supporters. In today’s world, that kind of loyalty isn’t always common, but I believe the fans recognized and appreciated it," Kroos concluded.

********************************************************

You can now download the Madridista News App for free on the Apple Store and Google Play.

You can follow us on Facebook here.

You can follow us on X (Twitter) here.                                                                    

You can follow us on Instagram here.

You can subscribe to our YouTube channel here.

You can follow us on Telegram here.

You can follow us on TikTok here.

You can join our WhatsApp channel here.