05/22/2024
Toni Kroos’ farewell means Say goodbye to one of the few legends still present at Real Madrid who won the 3 Champions Leagues consecutively between 2016 and 2018.
German, a fundamental pillar in those successes, He arrived with the Colombian James Rodríguez to the Spanish institution after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. They paid 75 million euros for James, while Kroos cost 25.
After a first season in which they saw Barcelona take all the titles, in the following season (2015/16) the White House took the first of the 3 in a row. Of that team that Orejona raised in Milan against Atlético de Madrid, next season (24/25) only 3 representatives would remain.
With the confirmed departure of Nacho and Kroos, still Daniel Carvajal, Luka Modrić and Lucas Vázquez would remain. These last two, still pending their contract renewal that ends in June 2024.
Toni Kroos’s goodbye
James wrote a message on his Instagram account for Kroos, with whom he shared between his two spells at Real Madrid (2014-2017, 2019-2020). “What class, what elegance. What a pleasure to have played with you Toni. Congratulations on your incredible career, legend,” were the words that the Colombian dedicated to him. During his time at Real, James won 2 Champions League titles with Kroos, in addition to 7 other titles.
Both the German, Nacho and Luka Modrić, could reach 6 Champions League if they win against Borussia Dortmund next June 1 at Wembley. They would be the footballers with the most “Orejonas” of all time, above 7 others – all members of that Real Madrid team – who have 5.
The white banner He formed a midfield for the history books along with Modric, the second player with whom he shared the most games in his career (333) and Carlos Casemirothe eighth (237, came later) united as a trident under the command of strategist Zinedine Zidane in 2016. The footballer with whom he shared the most on the field was Karim Benzema (343).
Given all the above, We must add the “theft” that Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, made against Bayern Munich, when he paid 25 million euros in 2014 for what would be one of the best footballers of the decade. It is the only transfer of his career, meaning the German only moved that amount in signings.
In Munich he made his debut, played 202 games, became an international for Germany and won the 2014 Champions League, precisely against Borussia Dortmund. But without a doubt He will be most remembered for his time in Madrid, with 463 games under his belt and 4 Spanish leagues.among his most notable titles, in addition to international triumphs.
James shared with Vinicius
After his return from loan at Bayern Munich, James Rodríguez decided to fight for the position once again in the squad led by Zinedine Zidane in (2019/2020).
On that occasion, shared with the figures of the current squadChampions League finalist, but much younger, like Vinicius, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde.
Among others, he also shared with the goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Brahim Díaz. The Colombian only played 14 games that season and the following year he left for Everton in England.
