May was an emotional month for Real Madrid fans. Toni Kroos’s announcement that he would be retiring and would not play for any other club was a moving statement.
The club legend, who’s taken the club to incredible heights as an inspirational midfielder and leader, bid goodbye to Bernabeu for one last time. Fans who were present at the Real Madrid game from official tickets from a secondary market were entirely moved when he was subbed off at the Bernabeu for one last time.
An Emotional Goodbye
Real Madrid fans and teammates paid tribute to a tearful Toni Kroos on Saturday as the midfielder played his last game at the Santiago Bernabeu before retiring from football this summer.
Kroos — who announced his decision to retire this week — played 87 minutes of Madrid’s 0-0 La Liga draw with Real Betis.
It was his second-to-last game for the club, ahead of their Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund on June 1. Speaking to the press, Kroos, who is 34, added that it isn’t easy to bid goodbye to the club that has been home for a decade.
“I can only say thank you to Madrid fans, the club, my teammates, and this stadium. I’ve always felt at home in these ten years here. I couldn’t ask for more. They’ve been ten unforgettable years.” The Germany international, who will feature for his country at this summer’s Euros before retiring, received a guard of honor from both teams ahead of the game, as fans behind one of the goals displayed a tifo saying, “Thank you, legend.”
Kroos took the captain’s armband for the evening, and his Madrid teammates gave him a tribute by wearing the number 8 on their backs before kick-off.
Kroos added that it would be a miss when he realized he wouldn’t be playing in the white jersey next season. “It’s a different feeling when you know it’s your last game,” he said. “I said I wanted to enjoy it, and I did; I enjoyed these 85 minutes a lot, as I’ve always enjoyed playing here. You play every two weeks here, but it’s so special. I’ll realize that when I don’t have it in the coming years.”
Kroos was substituted in the 87th minute to another long ovation from the fans with tickets from a secondary market. Afterwards, his children joined him on the pitch to receive more applause from the crowd.
“I was quite strong until the moment I saw my kids, they killed me!” he said, explaining his tears. “This is a special team; it’s a good group. They’ve all given me the respect I think I deserve. They aren’t just good players; they’re good people.”
Kroos — who has won 22 trophies with Madrid, including four Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles — will have the chance to add another trophy to his collection at Wembley next weekend.
“I wanted to make [my retirement] official before this game so that as of tomorrow, we can forget about this subject,” Kroos said. “The best way to leave would be winning a trophy.” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti set it was a fitting tribute.
“It’s a great farewell for a legend, a player who’s done something extraordinary for this club,” Ancelotti told Real Madrid TV. “It’s the farewell he deserves.
Ancelotti admitted that Madrid would have to adapt to life without Kroos next season.
Who Will Replace Kroos?
With Real Madrid being one of the top-tier clubs, replacing top-tier talent is always a challenge. Even in his final season, he was seen to be impactful with his passes and gameplay, showcasing that he was at a level above the rest.
And Replacing a player like Toni Kroos seems impossible.
But it will be one task that Real Madrid will be forced to do in the summer. Replacing a player like Toni Kroos seems impossible, but it is the task that Real Madrid has been forced to undertake in the summer transfer window.
Toni Kroos has made a name for himself through many world-class qualities. It is hard to pinpoint one trait that has personified the German legend, but if we were to apply an umbrella term, it would be the way he dictates play with an excellent passing range, reading of the game, and knowledge of the right moment to play a killer pass.
So, who in Europe could replace Toni Kroos? Well, the answer is nobody.
However, Real Madrid will have to settle for the next best. Carlo Ancelotti is aware of this, but thankfully, for the fans with tickets from a secondary market, he is not resting on his laurels.
Rodri to Real?
Real Madrid want world-class Man City midfielder to replace Toni Kroos. According to a report from AS (h/t Sport Witness), Real Madrid want to sign Rodri from Manchester City as they have placed the Spanish midfielder on their transfer radar to replace Toni Kroos this summer.
Needless to say, Rodri already has experience in Madrid. Not only was Rodri born in the Spanish capital, but he represented Real’s rivals Atletico Madrid for the 2018/19 season before he signed for Man City.
However, signing for Real Madrid is enough to make any player a Madridista for life. Should Rodri sign for Real in the summer transfer window, fans (and Rodri himself) will forget about his former ties to Los Blancos’ local rivals.
That aside, Rodri has made quite the name for himself since leaving Atleti. The Spanish midfielder has been tearing it apart in the Premier League, and he is involved in one of the greatest Premier League teams ever: the current Man City side.
Rodri has won four Premier League titles and also lifted the Champions League, scoring the goal in the final against Inter Milan that granted the Citizens their first and only Champions League trophy. So, Rodri is the man for the big occasion, which will suit Carlo Ancelotti, who values this in his players.
It will all come down to see if Rodri is interested in making the move. Right now, he looks to be entirely happy. Manchester City fans who’ve had tickets from a secondary market this season would attest to this.
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