Toni Kroos is one of the greats. He makes his final club appearance in #UCLfinal - his 717th club appearance (47 goals). Magnificent midfielder, tackling, controlling and passing - that through ball to Vinicius Junior for #RMCF against Bayern Munich, first signalling where he was going to put it, then delivering precisely, showed his technical and tactical class. Kroos is 34, bowing out at the top, still worth a starting place, still a force, popular and influential in helping young Real players settle in.
Versatile, can play deep midfield, or pushed on, central left or right. Intelligent, can read the game. Serial winner: 7 titles (3 Bundesliga/4 La Liga); five UCLs (1 Bayern/4 Real so far). Elite competitor, year after year, just look at those he’s up with: 151 #UCL appearances - level with Xavi and Muller. Only 4 with more games in #UCL: Benzema 152, Messi 163, Casillas 177, Cristiano Ronaldo 183. Kroos’ numbers make him one of the greats. And the way he plays the game, plenty of imagination, no simulation, superb team ethic, highlights why he's one of the greats.
And he’s a world champion, with #GER in 2014. #ENG fans sing of an emotional Kroos announcing his international retirement after Germany were beaten bu England at Wembley at Euro 2020. But he returned, and after Wembley tonight heads to the Euros. Has 108 caps, same as Klinsmann; behind only Lahm 113, Neuer 117, Schweinsteiger 121, Muller 128, Podolski 130, Klose 137 and Matthaus 150. A German great, a Real Madrid great, one of the game's greats. #BVBRMA