The latest comments on the part Real Madrid star Toni Kroos have piqued widespread attentions across the club’s fanbase late this evening.
This comes with the midfield maestro having seemingly dropped something of a hint regarding his plans for the future.
Real, and Kroos, are of course primed to return to action on Tuesday, when Los Blancos make the trip to RB Leipzig for the first leg of the Champions League Last-16 tie between the clubs.
Now back in his home country with a view to the clash, veteran Kroos in turn joined boss Carlo Ancelotti as Real’s player representative at the pre-match press conference.
And Kroos’ ensuing comments, as alluded to above, have since turned heads back in Spain’s capital.
Drawn on his future ahead of the expiration of his contract at the Santiago Bernabéu in the summer, the 34-year-old dropped the clearest hint yet that he could yet extend once more.
Adamant that he is ‘more motivated’ than ever, Kroos explained:
“I’ve always said 32 was the age to retire. I’m surprised by my motivation. I started at 17 at Bayern Munich and I thought I would have stopped at 32. But now I still want to play, win, I’m more motivated.”
From here, the German was also questioned on the prospect of coming out of international retirement, to feature for Germany at this year’s European Championships.
And, again, he failed to rule out as much, in responding:
“Euros with Germany? I have to decide and think a lot about my future. I have not decided anything. It all depends on my plans. I enjoy the moment, I need more time to decide and choose the best thing.”
Last up came a question on the reception afforded to Kroos during Real Madrid’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia, for the Spanish Super Cup.
The former Bayern Munich man was the subject of heavy jeers and boos on the part of the home fans throughout the tournament, owing to his prior comments regarding the outflux of talent from Europe to the Saudi Pro League as being ‘against football’.
And Kroos tonight made use of the opportunity to double down on his claims, in pointing towards his frosty reception as proof that he was ‘correct’ all along:
“The whistles during the Supercopa in Saudi Arabia? This gave me the confirmation that what I said was correct.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
