REAL MADRID
Toni Kroos’ new life after leaving Real Madrid and retirement
Kroos retired from professional soccer after Germany’s defeat to Spain at Euro 2024 but has already started his new ‘job’.
When the final whistle went at the end of the Euro 2024 quarterfinal between Spain and Germany, a devastated Toni Kroos was consoled by ex-Real Madrid teammates Dani Carvajal, Nacho and Joselu as he said goodbye to soccer forever. Or elite soccer, in any case.
Within 48 hours of the host nation’s crushing extra-time defeat in Stuttgart, Kroos was in Cologne running a coaching camp alongside brother Felix. The pair have already done several in Germany, and they have been a resounding success.
In the two weeks since Kroos’ retirement from soccer was officially confirmed, the former midfielder has passed on his wealth of knowledge to numerous groups of children hoping to be future stars: techniques to control the ball, how to hit the ball the right distance, how to pick the best pass, etc. All the while telling anecdotes about his hugely successful career at the very top level, six Champions League victories and all.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Kroos starts new ‘job’
But it’s not just about technical skills for Kroos. It’s also about life skills such as camaraderie, working and fighting together as a team, which he emphasises on the website of the Toni Kroos Academy, now his main professional focus.
“I will make you a better football player – on and off the pitch!” Kroos claims. Things have already got off to a strong start in his native Germany, although the 34-year-old will be extending his decade-long stay in Spain after his retirement.
In addition to Felix, the 2014 World Cup winner has also enlisted the help of his father, Roland, who runs another camp in Rostock, where the Kroos brothers grew up. With a number of young, dynamic coaches also on board, the camps which have taken place so far have received overwhelmingly positive reviews.
Kroos to stay in Madrid after retirement from soccer
In September, Kroos will be opening the Madrid headquarters of the Toni Kroos Academy in Boadilla del Monte, a town a few kilometres to the west of the Spanish capital. Further strengthening his ties with the place he now calls home.
After going on vacation to Mallorca, where he has owned a property for several years, Kroos will return to Madrid to start his new ‘job’. One in which he will call upon experiences in his previous one to educate up-and-coming stars and young people alike.
After 10 seasons with Real Madrid, Kroos and his family will settle back into life in the Spanish capital, as the former Bayern Munich opens his first coaching academy outside of Germany. In many ways, his new life will resemble his old one, although weekends and Champions League nights will be vastly different.