Iconic German midfielder Toni Kroos has weighed in on Real Madrid’s current struggles after the Spanish giants struggled to compete against the best teams in LaLiga as well as on the continent this past year.
Real Madrid endured 15 defeats across all competitions during the 24/25 season, conceding 84 goals — the highest in the club’s history for a single campaign. Los Blancos lost all four Clasicos against Barcelona, finished second in LaLiga, got eliminated from the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage by Arsenal and brutally lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals of the Club World Cup.
Much of Madrid’s struggles last season stemmed from their inability to replace Kroos, who hung up his boots at the end of the 23/24 campaign. Against Spain and Europe’s elite, Los Blancos lacked a midfield presence capable of dictating play the way Kroos had for over a decade.
They sorely missed the German’s ability to switch play with pinpoint diagonal passes, his set-piece expertise and overall creativity with many fans wasting no time in pointing out the obvious facts.
What did Toni Kroos say?
“Look, since I retired, I became a Real Madrid fan; it’s normal, after 10 years here,” Kroos told El País Semanal. “And I’ve seen, like all the other fans of the team, that it hasn’t been an easy season.
“And people were saying: ‘it’s because Toni Kroos isn’t here!’ And all I wanted was for things to work out well and for them to stop saying that.
“One thing is clear, and that is that the central midfield position is fundamental in modern football; there’s no doubt about it. Look at what happened to Manchester City after a player like Rodri got injured.
“What happens is that a good central midfielder or defensive midfielder is missed when he’s not there. When he’s there, it’s something that’s taken for granted; it’s as if you don’t notice it, as if everything is in order and then the forwards can finish games with ease.”
Kroos had the perfect ending to his Real Madrid career, as the club sealed the La Liga title before beating Borussia Dortmund at Wembley to lift their record 15th Champions League crown.
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
