Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos, born on January 4, 1990, is a celebrated German former professional footballer who made a significant impact as a midfielder. Renowned for his exceptional vision and pinpoint precision passing, Kroos is often regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. Over a remarkable seventeen-year career, he amassed an impressive thirty-four trophies, making him the second most decorated German footballer, just behind Thomas Müller.

Kroos began his senior club career at Bayern Munich, debuting at the young age of seventeen in 2007. Initially, he faced limited opportunities and was loaned to Bayer Leverkusen for eighteen months, where he emerged as a key player. Upon returning to Bayern in 2010, he contributed to the club's success, winning three Bundesliga titles, a UEFA Champions League, and two DFB-Pokal trophies, while also earning a spot in the Bundesliga Team of the Season three times.

In 2014, Kroos made a high-profile move to Real Madrid for a transfer fee of twenty-five million euros. During his time in Madrid, he further solidified his legacy by winning twenty-two trophies, including four La Liga titles and five UEFA Champions League trophies, three of which he won consecutively from 2016 to 2018. His performances earned him numerous accolades, including being named in the Champions League Team of the Season multiple times and receiving the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker award in 2014.

On the international stage, Kroos made his senior debut for Germany in 2010 and went on to represent his country in seven major tournaments. With one hundred fourteen international caps, he ranks among the top ten most capped German players. His contributions were pivotal in Germany's triumph at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he was the top assister and earned a place in the All-Star Team. He also shone at UEFA Euro 2016, being named in the Team of the Tournament. After a stellar career, Kroos announced his retirement from professional football in 2024.