Kroos announced his retirement from professional football
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t believe that Jude Bellingham is heir to Toni Kroos. The German veteran announced his retirement from club football and played his final league game for Los Blancos on Saturday. He is also set to quit the German national team post the Euros.
Having joined from Bayern Munich in 2014, Kroos has been an exceptional player for the Whites over the last decade ever since. A fixture in the midfield, the 34-year-old has played a key role in all their major trophies in the last 10 years, and leaves behind a big void in the squad.
Bellingham, who has had a spectacular first season with Real Madrid, is touted as a heir to Kroos, but Ancelotti begged to differ. The Italian feels he’s better off playing closer to the penalty area, and not play from the deep like Kroos. He said:
“Jude Bellingham is Kroos’ heir? No, I think not. The closer Bellingham is to the penalty area the better is for us. We have other midfielders”.
Ancelotti isn’t wrong. Kroos is adept at dictating play from the deep, whereas Bellingham is an out-and-out creator with an eye for goal. In 41 games this season, the Englishman has scored 23 goals and made 12 assists in all competitions.
Kroos looking to bow out with another Champions League
Outgoing midfielder Toni Kroos will make his final appearance for Real Madrid on 1 June in the Champions League final. Having already won four titles in the competition with the side, the German will be aiming to lift it one more time next weekend on his swansong. Los Blancos take on Borussia Dortmund at the Wembley showpiece.
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