Carlo Ancelotti has said he wants Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos to reconsider his decision to retire after helping the Spanish club win a record 15 Champions League titles in a 2-0 victory against Borussia Dortmund.
Kroos claimed his sixth Champions League winners' medal (five with Madrid and one with Bayern Munich) at Wembley, but the 34-year-old declared earlier this season that he would retire from football after playing for Germany. at Euro 2024 this summer. .
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However, after watching Kroos create the first goal for Dani Carvajal with a precise shot from a corner, Madrid coach Ancelotti said he and the club are waiting for Kroos to “change his mind” about his departure.
“I am very grateful to Kroos,” Ancelotti said. “He finished at the top, there is no way to finish higher than this. He had the audacity to finish it. [his career] and he is a legend in this club.
“All the fans thank him for his attitude and his professionalism. I told him that we are waiting for him to change his mind, we are waiting for you.”
Madrid are expected to announce the signing of Kylian Mbappé this week following the French forward's departure from Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent.
And Ancelotti said Madrid will also turn to existing players at the Bernabeu to fill the void left by Kroos' retirement.
“We have lost an important player, but we have players who can replace him and we will adapt and play in a slightly different way,” Ancelotti said. “We have fantastic players and the resources to remain competitive.”