Arda Güler Is Brilliant, But Kroos Says He Is Not His Heir
13 November 2025
Career Overview and a Honest Take on Güler
In a candid interview Toni Kroos says that comparing the young Turkish star Arda Güler to him is not appropriate. Güler is talented but has different qualities that suit a different role on the pitch.
Speaking with Sport 1 in Germany, Kroos offers insights into Real Madrid's current squad and highlights Güler as one of the season's standout faces. He notes that it is gratifying to see him getting more minutes this year, a reward for his high potential and hard work.
When asked about the idea of Güler being his heir in midfield, Kroos makes his stance clear: Arda is distinct from him. His position is more offensive, and while he remains a superb talent, he does not replace Kroos. He also describes his personal relationship with Güler, praising his technical touch that has helped Madrid this season.
Kroos, who has stepped back from top flight play, describes his current life as busy and active. He explains that absence from the spotlight does not equal idleness; he runs an academy in Madrid, personally guiding two teams. He also marked the tenth anniversary of his charitable foundation with a large event in Düsseldorf, coinciding with an appearance at the Icon League.
A remarkable journey
Kroos career stands among footballs most successful modern stories. He began with a youth spell at Hansa Rostock before moving to Bayern Munich’s academy at sixteen. He made his first team debut at seventeen and quickly established himself as one of the club's youngest ever players. A loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen helped him mature, before returning to Bayern as a key midfielder under Jupp Heynckes.
During his Bayern years he collected domestic titles, the 2013 Champions League, and a long list of honours. In 2014 he joined Real Madrid for around 25 million euros, a move that cemented him as a central piece of Madrid’s European dominance alongside Luka Modrić and Casemiro. He lifted five Champions League crowns with Real Madrid, multiple domestic titles, and global trophies throughout a decade in Spain.
On the international stage, Kroos earned 114 caps and scored 17 goals for Germany, including a starring role in the 2014 World Cup campaign, which Germany won. He briefly stepped back from international duty in 2021 but returned to finish his career with the national team in 2024, leaving behind a legacy as one of the finest midfield maestros of the 21st century.
Today Kroos is remembered for his exceptional passing accuracy, composure, and strategic awareness that shaped a generation of midfield play. His influence on both club and country remains a benchmark for aspiring playmakers.
If you want more of that Kroos magic, keep following the player who made the midfield look like a well oiled machine and who turned every pass into a statement.
Punchline 1: Not every joke needs a loud roar; a perfectly weighted pass lands with precision.
Punchline 2: Retirement speed is a myth; the brain still runs the show and the ball still finds him in every thought.