Kroos's Dream XI: Messi, Ronaldo, Zidane and Maldini Lead the Legends

Kroos Reveals His Dream XI

The retired German international Toni Kroos, a former Real Madrid midfielder, reveals the lineup he considers his ideal XI, based on what he learned during his playing career.

Kroos has been one of Real Madrid's defining midfielders. He announced his retirement from football in the summer of 2024 after collecting every major trophy he could win with his clubs.

According to the Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo, Kroos's choices for his dream XI, featuring legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, alongside Zinedine Zidane and Paolo Maldini, form a team that transcends eras.

The dream XI Kroos outlines includes:

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Germany).

Defenders: Marcelo (Brazil), Paolo Maldini (Italy), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Philipp Lahm (Germany).

Midfield: Ronaldinho (Brazil), Luka Modric (Croatia), Zinedine Zidane (France).

Attack: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Ronaldo (Brazil), Lionel Messi (Argentina).

Career Highlights and Legacy

The journey of Toni Kroos stands as one of modern football's most successful careers. He began with Bayern Munich, lifting the Champions League in 2013, before moving to Real Madrid in 2014 where he became a central pillar of a golden era. He has won five Champions League titles with Madrid, multiple league titles, and numerous domestic cups, cementing his reputation as a master of distribution and tempo control.

With the national team, Kroos earned 114 caps and scored 17 goals. He was a key figure for Germany during the 2014 World Cup campaign, including the famous 7-1 semifinal victory over Brazil, and helped his side lift the trophy that year. He retired from international football in 2021 after Euro 2020, then completed his club career in 2024, leaving behind a legacy of precision, calm under pressure, and relentless professionalism.

Kroos started his footballing journey in the youth ranks at Hansa Rostock, before joining Bayern Munich's academy at 16. He broke into the first team during the 2007-2008 season at 17, becoming one of the club's youngest-ever players. A productive loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen (2009-2010) sharpened his development, after which he returned to Bayern as a regular under Jupp Heynckes.

During his Bayern years, Kroos collected three German league titles, two German Cups, the UEFA Champions League in 2013, UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup. He became renowned for long-range passing, composure under pressure, and the ability to control the tempo of even the toughest matches.

In 2014, he swapped Munich for Madrid for around 25 million euros, a deal considered one of the best purely for the footballing value it generated. With Real Madrid, he reached peak maturity and formed what many call one of the greatest midfield trios alongside Modric and Casemiro, helping the club dominate Europe for a decade. He won five Champions Leagues, four Liga titles, the Spanish Super Cup, the Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup, contributing crucial assists and goals from the midfield engine room.

His international and club dominance helped define the era's standard for midfield control and tactical discipline. Kroos's legacy is remembered for his exact passing, seamless ball progression, and steady presence in some of football's most significant matches. He is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of the 21st century.

Today Kroos stands as an emblem of German efficiency and strategic thinking in football, his name linked with precision and consistency. His early development at a modest club, bold move to Bayern, and subsequent global success with Real Madrid created a template for modern midfield play. While his playing days have ended, the standard he set continues to influence players and coaches around the world.

In his later years, Kroos's influence extended beyond the pitch, with his approach to training, preparation, and professionalism shaping younger generations of players who aspire to balance technique with pragmatism. His career remains a benchmark for those who measure success not only by trophies but by the quiet, relentless pursuit of excellence.

Punchline 1: That XI is so balanced, even my calendar schedules training around it.

Punchline 2: If they ever start a coaching clinic, tickets will sell out in 7 minutes—because even the bench would bench the ball for them.