Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised Toni Kroos on Friday as “one of the best midfielders in the history of football,” and said he “respects” the player's decision to “come out on top” when he retires. this summer.
Kroos, 34, announced this week that he would retire from football after playing for Germany in the European Championship.
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The midfielder has won 22 trophies with Madrid since arriving in 2014, including four Champions Leagues and four LaLiga titles, and will have the chance to add to that tally when Madrid play Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final. on 1st June.
“Veterans and legends have to choose their destiny,” Ancelotti said at a news conference before Madrid's final league match of the season, which hosts Real Betis at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
“Toni has made his decision and we have to respect it… Replacing a player of that level is difficult, if not impossible, but this squad has the resources. The young people must take on more responsibilities.”
Kroos has been in the best form of his career this campaign, holding his own with Madrid's next generation, including Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham, to make 32 LaLiga and 11 Champions League appearances.
“He wants to reach the top and he has the opportunity to do so, I understand that,” Ancelotti said. “Saying goodbye like this would be ideal. Everyone wants to reach the top, but then it takes courage to make the decision, and Toni has it.”
Kroos could end his career by winning three major trophies if Madrid can add the Champions League to their LaLiga title and then Germany wins the Euro on home soil.
“Technically, a player of Kroos' quality is difficult to find, but that is not what we are thinking about now,” said Ancelotti, when asked about the team's future without the midfielder. “We are thinking about saying goodbye to Kroos and preparing for the final. Toni is very calm, very focused on what he has to do tomorrow and on June 1, and with Germany.
“He's German, so trying to convince him to change his mind wasn't that easy… There were no tears. He was convinced of the decision he had made.”
Ancelotti also confirmed that Tchouaméni would miss the Champions League final as he would not recover in time from his foot injury.
“He won't return for the final, he's ruled out,” Ancelotti said. “I think he will recover for the Euro.”
