Kroos Names Kanté as His Toughest Opponent Yet
29 December 2025
The toughest opponent Kroos faced
Retired German star Toni Kroos, once a Real Madrid pillar, reveals the toughest opponent he faced in a career that spanned Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid.
Kanté, a World-Class Midfielder
He finished his Real Madrid chapter at the end of the previous season, after representing his country at Euro 2024.
Kroos identifies the most challenging foe as French midfielder N'Golo Kanté, now with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia and a former Chelsea star.
In remarks relayed by journalist Fabrizio Romano, Kroos said: 'Kanté felt like two players on the field.'
Kanté ranks among the globe's elite midfielders, having won the 2018 World Cup with France, plus the Premier League titles with Leicester City and Chelsea, and many major European honors with Chelsea, and beyond indeed.
Punchline 1: If Kanté ever aims for a pass, even the crossbar ducks.
Punchline 2: Kanté moves so smoothly that gravity files a no-fault report after he finishes a sprint.