Now in his life away from the world of football, Toni Kroos has time to talk without thinking about his work responsibilities. The German went on the podcast hosted by the Zverev brothers, tennis players, and compared his former profession with that of his compatriots. As well as acknowledging his periods of playing good tennis, the former Real Madrid player spoke openly about the sporadic reunions he has at Valdebebas......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
“I’ve always wanted to finish at the highest level. I’ve played with many top players, but few have achieved that. The constant travelling and being away from my family have tired me out over the years. Maybe in five years‘ time I’ll say it was too soon, but for now I feel good about it,” Kroos acknowledged on whether his decision to quit football was a hasty one.
Although he is away from Real Madrid, he does not disassociate himself from his former team-mates and goes to Valdebebas many mornings: “I don’t know if they think it’s great if I turn up from time to time and say I want to join. There’s also the risk that Carlo – Ancelotti – will tell me his ‘remain here’,” he joked. At the moment, he doesn’t see himself being part of a staff: “I don’t feel like coaching adults right now. I’m going to open a youth academy in Madrid, so they’ll have to believe in it if I play along.
Returning to the comparisons between football and tennis, the German envies certain aspects: “If I was a tennis player, I wouldn’t have stopped yet. You’re sitting here with your brother recording a podcast, that’s not possible in team sports. You decide whether to take your wife and children to tournaments. You decide who is your team, who sits in the box and who sleeps in your bed the night before a game. That doesn’t happen in team sports.