Toni Kroos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Toni Kroos

Kroos with Real Madrid in 2018
Personal information
Full name	Toni Kroos
Date of birth	(1990-01-04) 4 January 1990 (age 35)
Place of birth	Greifswald, East Germany
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1997–2002	Greifswalder SC
2002–2006	Hansa Rostock
2006–2007	Bayern Munich
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2007–2008	Bayern Munich II	13	(4)
2007–2014	Bayern Munich	130	(13)
2009–2010	→ Bayer Leverkusen (loan)	43	(10)
2014–2024	Real Madrid	306	(22)
Total		492	(49)
International career
2005–2007	Germany U17	34	(17)
2009	Germany U19	5	(3)
2008–2009	Germany U21	10	(2)
2010–2024	Germany	114	(17)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Germany FIFA World Cup Winner 2014 Brazil Third 2010 South Africa UEFA European Championship Third 2012 Poland-Ukraine FIFA U-17 World Cup Third 2007 South Korea
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Toni Kroos (born 4 January 1990) is a German former professional footballer. Many people think he is one of the best midfielders ever. He was famous for his amazing vision, passing, and how well he could cross the ball and take set-pieces. Kroos usually played as a central midfielder, but sometimes he played as a defensive midfielder too. He is the most successful German football player, winning 34 trophies in his 17-year career.

Kroos started his professional club career at Bayern Munich when he was just 17 in 2007. He didn't play much at first, so he went on loan to Bundesliga team Bayer Leverkusen for 18 months. There, he became a very important player. He returned to Bayern in 2010. With Bayern, Kroos won three Bundesliga titles, one UEFA Champions League, and two DFB-Pokal trophies. He was also named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season three times. In 2014, he moved to Real Madrid for about €25 million.

At Real Madrid, Kroos won twenty-one trophies. This included four La Liga titles and five UEFA Champions League trophies. Three of these Champions League wins were in a row from 2016 to 2018. He was chosen for the Champions League team of the season each time. He was also named in the FIFA FIFPRO World 11 and UEFA Team of the Year three times each. He was named the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker in 2014 and German Footballer of the Year in 2018 and 2024.

Kroos won the Golden Player award at the 2006 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. He also won the Golden Ball at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He first played for the senior Germany team in 2010 when he was 20. He played in seven big tournaments. With 114 international matches, Kroos is one of Germany's top ten most capped players. Kroos helped Germany win the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was the top assister in that tournament and was named in the All-Star Team and Dream Team. At UEFA Euro 2016, he was chosen for the Team of the Tournament. In 2024, Kroos stopped playing professional football.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Kroos was born in Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, on 4 January 1990. He was born just before Germany became one country again. His mother, Britta, was a national badminton champion. His father, Roland, was also a footballer and managed Hansa Rostock's youth team. Toni has a younger brother, Felix Kroos, who also became a professional footballer. When he was young, Toni spent a lot of time practicing football.

Club Career Highlights

Starting Out in Germany

Kroos first played for his local club, Greifswalder SC. Later, he joined the youth team of Hansa Rostock. In 2006, Kroos moved to Bayern Munich's youth academy. He sometimes missed school because of his football training.

For the 2007–08 season, at 17, Kroos joined Bayern's main team. He had an amazing start in the Bundesliga. He played his first game for Bayern on 26 September 2007. It was a 5–0 win against Energie Cottbus. He helped Miroslav Klose score two goals within 18 minutes of coming on as a substitute. When he first played, Kroos was the youngest player ever for Bayern in a professional match. This record was later broken by David Alaba in 2010. On 25 October, Kroos helped Bayern win a tough game against Red Star Belgrade in his UEFA Cup debut. He came on as a substitute, assisted a goal, and then scored the winning goal himself in extra time. He finished his first season with 20 games for Bayern. He also scored three goals in 12 games for Bayern Munich II.

Kroos played less often for Bayern in the first half of the 2008–09 season. However, on 5 November 2008, he played his first UEFA Champions League game against Fiorentina.

Loan to Bayer Leverkusen

On 31 January 2009, Bayern sent Kroos to Bayer Leverkusen for 18 months. This was so he could get more experience playing in the first team. He played his first game for Leverkusen on 28 February. On 12 April, he started his first Bundesliga game for Leverkusen. He helped his team score in a 1–1 draw. On 18 April 2009, he scored his first Bundesliga goal. During the 2008–09 season, Kroos played 13 games for Leverkusen and scored once. Kroos became a regular player for Leverkusen in the 2009–10 season. He played in almost all their Bundesliga matches. He scored five goals and made four assists in five Bundesliga games between December 2009 and January 2010. He was named "player of the month" twice. He ended the season with nine goals and 12 assists in 33 matches.

Returning to Bayern Munich

Kroos with Bayern Munich in 2014

In the summer of 2010, Kroos returned to Bayern Munich after his loan ended. He wanted to play as much as possible for Bayern. On 16 August 2010, he started a game in the DFB-Pokal and scored a goal in a 4–0 win. On 29 October 2010, he scored his first league goal for Bayern. During the 2010–11 season, Kroos was a regular starter for Bayern in all competitions. He played 37 games that season.

In the 2011–12 season, Kroos became a key player for Bayern. He formed a strong midfield partnership with his national team friend Bastian Schweinsteiger. He played 51 games that season, including the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final. Bayern lost that final on penalties.

Kroos was a very important part of Bayern's team that won the treble (three major trophies) in the 2012–13 season. He scored three goals in the first four Bundesliga games. He also scored his first Champions League goal that season. However, he got injured in a Champions League game against Juventus. This meant he missed the rest of the season. He could not play in the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final, the 2013 DFB-Pokal Final, or the last seven Bundesliga matches.

Kroos was fit again for the start of the 2013–14 season. He played in the German Super Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. On 4 October 2013, he scored his first goal of the season against his old club, Bayer Leverkusen. He also played in two matches for Bayern in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup. Bayern won that tournament. On 19 February 2014, Kroos scored his second goal of the season in a Champions League win against Arsenal. On 25 March, he scored in a 3–1 win that confirmed Bayern as Bundesliga champions.

Joining Real Madrid

First Season and Early Success

Kroos playing for Real Madrid in 2015

Before joining Real Madrid, Kroos had almost joined Manchester United. But the new manager decided not to sign him. Then, Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Real Madrid, called him.

On 17 July 2014, Real Madrid announced that Kroos was joining them. He signed a six-year deal. The transfer cost between €24 and €30 million. Kroos became the ninth German player to join Real Madrid. At his presentation, he said Real Madrid was the "biggest club in the world." He played his first game for Real Madrid on 12 August 2014. They won the 2014 UEFA Super Cup, giving him his first trophy with the club.

He was part of a strong midfield with James Rodríguez and Luka Modrić. This team helped Real Madrid win 22 games in a row. On 8 November, Kroos scored his first goal for Real Madrid. In December, he helped the team win the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup. He was named in the FIFA FIFPRO World 11 and the UEFA Team of the Year.

European Dominance

In 2015, Rafa Benítez became Real Madrid's coach, and then Zinedine Zidane took over. Under Zidane, Kroos continued to be a key player in midfield. Zidane called Kroos "perfect for Madrid." Kroos was a regular starter when the team won the 2015–16 Champions League. This was his second Champions League trophy. Real Madrid's win meant Kroos was the first German to win the Champions League with two different clubs.

Kroos playing for Real Madrid in 2018

In 2016, Kroos was even featured as a collectible minifigure by The LEGO Group. On 12 October 2016, he signed a new contract until 2022. He was again nominated for the FIFA FIFPRO World 11 and the UEFA Team of the Year. He scored the winning goal for Real Madrid in their first home game of the La Liga season. He was a regular starter when Madrid won the 2016–17 La Liga and then defended their title in the 2016–17 Champions League. He became the first German player to win the Champions League three times. By the end of 2016–17, Kroos was the player Zidane used the most. During the 2017–18 Champions League, he played twelve games. Madrid won their third Champions League title in a row, and their 13th overall.

More Trophies and Milestones

Kroos playing for Real Madrid in 2019

On 22 December 2018, Kroos won his fifth FIFA Club World Cup. His team beat Al Ain FC 4–1 in the final. On 20 May 2019, he extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2023.

On 17 August 2019, Kroos scored his first goal of the La Liga season. On 22 October 2019, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 win against Galatasaray. This was his 100th game in the Champions League.

On 8 January 2020, Kroos scored his first Supercopa goal directly from a corner kick. Three days later, Real Madrid won the Supercopa. On 16 June, when La Liga started again after the COVID-19 break, Kroos scored Real Madrid's first goal at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium. Real Madrid then won the 2019–20 La Liga title.

Final Years and Retirement

On 10 April 2021, Kroos scored his first El Clásico goal against Barcelona from a free-kick. This goal helped Real Madrid win 2–1. In the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League, Kroos won his fifth Champions League title.

On 10 August 2022, Kroos started the 2022–23 season by winning his fourth UEFA Super Cup. This game was special because it was the last time the famous midfield trio, known as KCM (Kroos, Casemiro and Modrić), started a match together. Casemiro moved to Manchester United a week later. On 11 September 2022, Kroos was the captain of Real Madrid for the first time. On 30 October, Kroos received the first red card of his career.

On 11 February 2023, Kroos won his sixth FIFA Club World Cup title. He won one with Bayern Munich and five with Real Madrid. On 6 May, he played in the Copa del Rey final and won his first trophy in that competition. On 21 June 2023, Kroos extended his contract with Real Madrid for one more year. On 3 October, Kroos played his 100th Champions League game for Real Madrid.

On 21 May 2024, Kroos announced he would stop playing football after UEFA Euro 2024. In his last La Liga game at the Santiago Bernabéu on 25 May, he received a huge cheer from the crowd when he was substituted. On 1 June, he played his very last club match. He provided an assist in the Champions League final, helping Real Madrid win 2–0 against Borussia Dortmund. This win meant Kroos equaled Paco Gento's record of six European Cup titles. In total, he played 479 top-level league matches for Bayern, Leverkusen, and Madrid.

International Career for Germany

Kroos with Germany in 2011

Youth Teams and Early Senior Call-Up

In the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Toni Kroos was named the best player and also won the Bronze Shoe for scoring five goals. He played for the national U-21 team for the first time on 5 September 2008. He scored the first goal in that game.

In January 2010, Kroos was called up to the senior Germany team for the first time. He made his debut for Germany on 3 March 2010 in a friendly match.

World Cups and Euros

Kroos was chosen for Germany's team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He played his first World Cup game against Ghana. He also played as a substitute in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the third-place play-off.

Kroos became a regular starter in Germany's qualification for UEFA Euro 2012. He played in eight out of ten games. Germany won all ten qualifying matches. Kroos scored his first two international goals after Germany had already qualified. At the tournament finals, Kroos played as a substitute in all three group matches. In the semi-final against Italy, the coach asked Kroos to mark Italy's main player, Andrea Pirlo. Germany lost that match 2–1.

During Germany's 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, Kroos scored his first two competitive international goals. This was in a 6–1 win against the Republic of Ireland.

Kroos was part of Germany's team for the 2014 World Cup. In their first game, a 4–0 win over Portugal, Kroos helped set up Germany's second goal. In the semi-final against Brazil, Kroos scored two goals within two minutes in Germany's amazing 7–1 win. He also made his fourth assist of the tournament and was named man of the match. Brazilians nicknamed him Garçom (meaning "waiter") because he delivered so many perfect passes to his teammates.

Kroos (left) playing in the 2014 World Cup final

On 11 July, Kroos was on the shortlist for FIFA's Golden Ball award, which is for the tournament's best player. The official statistics rated Kroos as the best player at the 2014 World Cup. Kroos is seen as the only player from the former East Germany to ever win the World Cup.

On 4 June 2018, Kroos was included in Germany's team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. On 23 June, Kroos scored a free-kick goal in extra time against Sweden. This helped Germany win 2–1 and kept their World Cup hopes alive. However, in their next game, Germany lost 2–0 to South Korea and were knocked out of the tournament.

On 13 October 2020, Kroos played his 100th game for Germany.

On 19 May 2021, he was chosen for the UEFA Euro 2020 squad. After Germany lost to England in the Round of 16, Kroos announced he was retiring from international football. He said he wanted to focus on his club career and his family.

Return and Final Retirement

On 22 February 2024, Kroos announced he would return to the German national team for the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament, which was held in Germany. He was asked to return by the new manager, Julian Nagelsmann. In March 2024, he assisted a goal just seven seconds into his return game against France.

Kroos was in the final Germany squad for Euro 2024. He had announced that this would be his last tournament as a professional footballer. He helped the team reach the quarter-finals, where they lost to Spain. This was his very last career match.

How Toni Kroos Plays

Kroos is a tall and strong right-footed midfielder. He is considered one of the best midfielders of his time. He is known for his long and very accurate passes. He can also create goals with his passing and crossing from set-pieces. He has been called a "modern attacking midfielder" because he is dynamic and works hard. He is also praised for his strength and ability to play in different midfield positions. Kroos often played in the centre as a deep-lying playmaker or even as a defensive midfielder. This is because he could stop opposing attacks, keep the ball, and create chances for his teammates.

One of his special moves was taking a quick first touch past an opponent when he received a pass under pressure. This helped him get past defenders and create space, even though he wasn't very fast. This move was called the "Kroos shuffle." Kroos has many different types of passes. He can control the midfield with accurate short passes or start attacks with longer passes.

Former Netherlands captain Johan Cruyff said about Kroos's playing at the 2014 World Cup: "He's doing everything right: the pace in his passes is great and he sees everything. It's nearly perfect."

Personal Life

Kroos married his long-time girlfriend Jessica Farber on 13 June 2015. They have two sons and a daughter. He owns a house on the island of Mallorca.

In March 2021, Kroos said it was "wrong" for the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar. He mentioned concerns about how migrant workers were treated and that homosexuality is against the law there. He believed footballers should talk about these issues. In 2023, he also shared his opinion about footballers moving to the Saudi Pro League. He felt it was only for money. He said he would never move to Saudi Arabia because of its human rights record. This led to him being booed when he played in the 2024 Supercopa de España, which was held in Saudi Arabia.

Kroos encouraged Germans to vote in the 2021 German federal election. He said that Germany was not the same country he left ten years earlier. He also mentioned that his daughter would be safer in Spain. He supported immigration to Germany but felt it had been "uncontrolled."

Career Statistics

Club

International

Scores and results list Germany's goal tally first

List of international goals scored by Toni Kroos

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	6 September 2011	Stadion Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland	Poland	1–1	2–2	Friendly
2	11 November 2011	Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex, Kyiv, Ukraine	Ukraine	1–2	3–3	Friendly
3	12 October 2012	Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland	Republic of Ireland	5–0	6–1	2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
4				6–0
5	6 September 2013	Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany	Austria	2–0	3–0	2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
6	8 July 2014	Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, Brazil	Brazil	3–0	7–1	2014 FIFA World Cup
7				4–0
8	14 October 2014	Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, Germany	Republic of Ireland	1–0	1–1	UEFA Euro 2016 qualification
9	18 November 2014	Balaídos, Vigo, Spain	Spain	1–0	1–0	Friendly
10	26 March 2016	Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany	England	1–0	2–3	Friendly
11	29 March 2016	Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany	Italy	1–0	4–1	Friendly
12	8 October 2016	Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany	Czech Republic	2–0	3–0	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
13	23 June 2018	Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia	Sweden	2–1	2–1	2018 FIFA World Cup
14	16 October 2018	Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France	France	1–0	1–2	2018–19 UEFA Nations League A
15	6 September 2019	Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany	Netherlands	2–2	2–4	UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
16	16 November 2019	Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach, Germany	Belarus	3–0	4–0	UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
17				4–0

Honours

Bayern Munich

• Bundesliga: 2007–08, 2012–13, 2013–14
• DFB-Pokal: 2007–08, 2012–13, 2013–14
• DFL-Supercup: 2012
• UEFA Champions League: 2012–13
• UEFA Super Cup: 2013
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2013

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2023–24
• Copa del Rey: 2022–23
• Supercopa de España: 2017, 2020, 2022, 2024
• UEFA Champions League: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2021–22, 2023–24
• UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2017, 2022
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022

Germany

• FIFA World Cup: 2014

Individual

• UEFA European Under-17 Championship Golden Player: 2006
• UEFA European Under-17 Championship top tcorer: 2007
• FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball: 2007
• FIFA U-17 World Cup Bronze Shoe: 2007
• Fritz-Walter-Medal U18 Gold Medal: 2008
• kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2009–10, 2011–12
• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
• FIFA FIFPRO World 11: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2024
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2014, 2016, 2017
• IFFHS World's Best Playmaker: 2014
• IFFHS Men's World Team: 2017, 2024
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2014
• FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2014
• Silbernes Lorbeerblatt: 2014
• German Player of the Year: 2014
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2016
• La Liga top assist provider: 2016–17
• UEFA La Liga Team of the Season: 2016–17, 2019–20
• IFFHS World Team of the Decade 2011–2020
• IFFHS UEFA Team of the Decade 2011–2020
• German Footballer of the Year: 2018, 2024
• GQ German Athlete of the Year: 2019
• Golden Player Man Award: 2024
• The Best FIFA Men's 11: 2024

See also

In Spanish: Toni Kroos para niños

• List of footballers with 100 or more UEFA Champions League appearances
• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps