‘I don’t care’ - former Real Madrid and Germany star Toni Kroos not interested in winning Ballon d’Or after retirement
ByTNT Sports
Published 18/10/2024 at 07:22 GMT+1
Toni Kroos called time on a glorious career with Real Madrid and Germany after the Euro 2024 tournament in his home country, and remains in contention for this month's Ballon d'Or trophy. However, the 34-year-old said in a recent interview that he was no longer interested in winning the award after his retirement, but said Dani Carvajal, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior would deserve the nod.
‘He’s surpassed all expectations’ – Neymar backs ‘idol’ Vinicius Junior for Ballon d’Or win
Video credit: SNTV
Former Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has said that winning the Ballon d’Or is “not important to me.”
The 34-year-old retired from football after returning to international football for Euro 2024 in his home country, bringing to a close his career.
Kroos spent a decade with Real after leaving Bayern Munich in 2014, and was regarded as a key part of one of the finest midfields of all time, alongside Casemiro and Luka Modric at the Bernabeu.
Modric is now the only one of those still playing for Real, and Kroos was hailed as one of the best players of the modern era when he announced his decision to step away from the sport.
Despite his retirement, his exploits in his final season mean that he remains in contention for the Ballon d’Or, held later this month, though his former team-mates Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham might be considered more likely winners.
However, the award voting can sometimes be influenced in recognition of the achievements of a player’s whole career, and Kroos was also still in exceptional form in his farewell campaign.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/10/17/4052019-82178028-2560-1440.jpg)
‘David Beckham… and Gary McSheffrey’ - Maddison takes on quickfire questions ahead of Hammers clash
Video credit: TNT Sports
Having taken the decision to retire, though, Kroos told TVE that he is no longer interested in claiming a trophy, whether for a team or for an individual achievement.
“The Ballon d’Or is not important to me,” he said. “If someone from Real Madrid wins it, I’m fine. Vini deserves it, Jude deserves it and [Dani] Carvajal deserves it, but I don’t care.”
He added: “I’m very good. If I decide something it’s that, I’m convinced and I do it. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t cost me. In the end it’s football, we suffer with other things in life.”
- - -
TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024/25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
Thoughts?
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement