SOCCER
Toni Kroos returns for Germany: will he get a new Real Madrid contract?
The veteran playmaker has been in imperious form for Los Blancos this year and has confirmed his decision to return to the German team for Euro 2024.
Toni Kroos has announced that he is returning to the Germany national team for this summer’s European Championships on home soil.
The Real Madrid midfielder bowed out from the international arena in 2021 after a disappointing German performance at that year’s tournament. The national team has struggled in recent competitions but they have a talented squad and will be targeting success this summer.
The 34-year-old wrote on Instagram: “People, short and painless: I will play for Germany again in March. Why? Because I was asked by the federal coach, I’m in the mood and I’m sure that with the team at the European Championship, much more is possible than most believe right now!”
Julian Nagelsmann has struggled to get the best out of this Germany squad but the addition of Kroos will be a major boost for the 2024 hosts.
Will Toni Kroos extend his Real Madrid contract?
There were points last year - as Real Madrid lagged behind Barcelona in LaLiga and were demolished by Manchester City - when it looked as if Kroos was on the way out. Never the most athletic player, Kroos’ physical qualities have waned further in his advancing age and he struggled to maintain a place in the Madrid starting XI in 2022/23.
This season, however, has been one of renaissance for Kroos. The 34-year-old has repurposed himself into a pure holding midfielder, conducting the play for Los Blancos and benefitting from the young midfield talents playing alongside him.
His current Madrid contract expires this summer but Kroos admitted recently that he is considering an extension that would allow him to play on for another season.
He said: “I always tell you the truth, and the truth is I don’t know. I’m thinking about what I want to do. I haven’t decided anything yet. It makes me happy that people want me to play one more year, that’s better than the other way around, wanting me to stop! It depends on a lot of things.”
“I want to end my career at the highest level possible. I’m enjoying the moment. I deserve a bit more time to take the decision, I want it to be the correct one.”
Kroos has made 24 LaLiga appearances for Real Madrid this season and the capital club are currently six points ahead of Girona at the top of the table. He played 90 minutes in Madrid’s 1-0 Champions League victory over RB Leipzig last week and is looking for his sixth triumph in European club soccer’s premier competition.