History of Toni Kroos in Timeline

Toni Kroos is a German professional footballer known as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He plays for Real Madrid and the German national team. He is recognized for his exceptional vision, passing, creativity, crossing, and set-piece skills. While primarily a central midfielder, he has also played as a deep-lying playmaker.

January 1990: Toni Kroos is born

Toni Kroos was born in January 1990.

January 1990: Birth and Early Life

Toni Kroos was born on January 4, 1990, in Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. His father, Roland Kroos, was a youth coach for Hansa Rostock. Despite being an average student, Kroos dedicated much of his time to practicing football, demonstrating good behavior and popularity among his classmates.

2006: Kroos wins Golden Player and top goalscorer at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship

In 2006, Toni Kroos won the Golden Player award and finished as top goalscorer at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

2006: Kroos joins Bayern Munich's youth setup

Toni Kroos moved to Bayern Munich's youth setup in 2006.

September 2007: Kroos makes his Bundesliga debut for Bayern Munich

Toni Kroos made his Bundesliga debut for Bayern Munich in September 2007, assisting two goals within 18 minutes of coming on as a substitute.

2007: Kroos wins Golden Ball at the FIFA U-17 World Cup

In 2007, Toni Kroos won the Golden Ball at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

2007: Kroos makes his senior debut for Bayern Munich at age 17

Toni Kroos began his senior club career playing for Bayern Munich, making his debut at age 17 in 2007.

2007: Golden Ball and Bronze Shoe Award

Toni Kroos won the Golden Ball as the best player in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He also received the Bronze Shoe after scoring five goals in the tournament.

September 2008: Debut for Germany U-21 Team

Toni Kroos debuted for the German national U-21 team in September 2008 during a qualifier match against Northern Ireland for the 2009 Euro U-21 Championship, scoring a goal in the 11th minute.

November 2008: Kroos makes his UEFA Champions League debut

Toni Kroos made his UEFA Champions League debut in November 2008, coming on as a substitute against Fiorentina.

2008: Kroos appears in the DFB-Pokal final

Toni Kroos appeared as a late substitute in the 2008 DFB-Pokal Final, where Leverkusen lost 1-0 to Werder Bremen.

January 2009: Kroos joins Bayer Leverkusen on loan

Bayern Munich allowed Toni Kroos to join Bayer Leverkusen on an 18-month loan spell in January 2009.

April 2009: Kroos scores his first Bundesliga goal

Toni Kroos scored his first Bundesliga goal in April 2009, playing for Bayer Leverkusen against VfL Wolfsburg.

December 2009: Kroos named Bundesliga "player of the month"

Toni Kroos was named Bundesliga "player of the month" for December 2009.

2009: Exclusion from Euro U-21 Squad

Despite his contributions, Toni Kroos was surprisingly left out of Germany's U-21 squad for the Euro 2009 tournament by coach Horst Hrubesch. Germany went on to win the tournament.

January 2010: First Call-Up to Senior Germany Team

In January 2010, Toni Kroos received his first call-up to the senior Germany team for a training session in Sindelfingen.

January 2010: Kroos named Bundesliga "player of the month" for a second consecutive month

Toni Kroos was named Bundesliga "player of the month" for a second consecutive month in January 2010.

March 2010: Debut for Senior Germany Team

Toni Kroos made his debut for the senior German national team in March 2010 during a friendly match against Argentina.

August 2010: Kroos scores in the DFB-Pokal

Toni Kroos scored a goal for Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal in August 2010.

October 2010: Kroos scores his first league goal for Bayern Munich

Toni Kroos scored his first league goal for Bayern Munich in October 2010 in a game against SC Freiburg.

2010: Kroos returns to Bayern Munich after a successful loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen

After an 18-month loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen, Kroos returned to Bayern Munich in 2010 with an increased profile.

2010: Kroos returns to Bayern Munich, aiming for more playing time

After his loan spell, Toni Kroos returned to Bayern Munich in 2010, determined to secure a regular place in the team.

2010: 2010 FIFA World Cup Debut

Toni Kroos made his FIFA World Cup debut in 2010 during Germany's final group stage match against Ghana. He was also substituted in during the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and third-place playoff matches.

2010: Kroos makes his senior debut for Germany at age 20

Toni Kroos made his senior debut for the German national team in 2010, at the age of 20.

2010: David Alaba breaks Kroos' record as Bayern Munich's youngest player

Toni Kroos was the youngest player ever to represent Bayern Munich in a professional match at 17 years and 265 days old until David Alaba broke his record in 2010.

2011: Kroos becomes a regular starter for Bayern Munich

During the 2011-2012 season, Toni Kroos became a regular starter for Bayern Munich, forming a strong partnership with Bastian Schweinsteiger in midfield.

2012: Regular Starter for Euro 2012 Qualifiers

Toni Kroos became a regular starter for Germany's qualification campaign for the UEFA Euro 2012, playing in eight out of ten games and scoring his first two international goals. He received praise from national coach Joachim Löw for his ball distribution and technical skills.

2012: Kroos plays in the Champions League final

Toni Kroos played for Bayern Munich in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final, where they lost to Chelsea on penalties.

2012: Kroos plays a key role in Bayern Munich's treble-winning season

Toni Kroos was an important part of Bayern Munich's treble-winning team during the 2012-2013 season.

September 2013: Goal in World Cup Qualifier Against Austria

Toni Kroos scored a goal for Germany during a 3-0 win against Austria in September 2013 during a World Cup qualifying match.

October 2013: Kroos scores his first goal of the season

Toni Kroos scored his first goal of the season in October 2013, in a 1-1 draw against his former club Bayer Leverkusen.

December 2013: Kroos plays in the FIFA Club World Cup

Toni Kroos played in the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2013, contributing to Bayern Munich's victory.

2013: Kroos sustains an injury that rules him out for the remainder of the season

After sustaining an injury in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final in 2013, Toni Kroos missed the rest of the season.

February 2014: Kroos scores in the Champions League

Toni Kroos scored a goal for Bayern Munich in a Champions League match against Arsenal in February 2014.

July 2014: Transfer to Real Madrid

In July 2014, Kroos officially transferred to Real Madrid, signing a six-year deal for an undisclosed fee, reported to be between €24 and €30 million.

August 2014: Real Madrid Debut and First Trophy

In August 2014, Kroos made his debut for Real Madrid in the 2014 UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla, which Real Madrid won. This marked Kroos' first trophy with the club.

2014: Successful Start at Real Madrid, Accolades, and First Goal

During 2014, Kroos established himself as a key player in Real Madrid's midfield, contributing to a 22-game winning streak. He scored his first goal for the club in a 5-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano. He played a crucial role in Real Madrid winning the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup, leading the tournament in assists. His performances were recognized with selections to the FIFPro World XI and the UEFA Team of the Year.

2014: Praise from Johan Cruyff

Following Toni Kroos' outstanding performances during the 2014 World Cup, Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff commended his passing, vision, and overall gameplay, describing it as "nearly perfect."

2014: Near Transfer to Manchester United and Call from Carlo Ancelotti

In 2014, Toni Kroos nearly joined Manchester United after reaching an agreement with then-manager David Moyes. However, the deal fell through when Moyes was replaced by Louis van Gaal. Around the same time, during the 2014 World Cup, Kroos received a call from Carlo Ancelotti, manager of Real Madrid.

2014: Kroos joins Real Madrid

In 2014, Toni Kroos transferred to Real Madrid for €25 million.

2014: Top Player in 2014 World Cup by Castrol Performance Index

In 2014, the Castrol Performance Index, the official statistical analyzer for the World Cup, ranked Toni Kroos as the best player in the 2014 World Cup with a rating of 9.79 out of 10.

2014: Recognition as a Top Midfielder

Toni Kroos earned widespread recognition as a top-class central midfielder, receiving praise for his passing accuracy, technique, vision, and versatility. Paul Scholes, a former Manchester United midfielder, highlighted Kroos as a player Manchester United should sign in 2014.

2014: Key Player in 2014 World Cup

Toni Kroos played a crucial role in Germany's 2014 World Cup victory. He provided assists, scored critical goals in matches against Portugal and Brazil, and was named man of the match by FIFA in the semi-final against Brazil.

2014: First Competitive International Goals in World Cup Qualifiers

Toni Kroos scored his first two competitive international goals during a 6-1 win against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin for the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers.

2014: Kroos helps Germany win the FIFA World Cup

Toni Kroos was a key member of the German national team that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup, finishing as the tournament's top assist provider.

2014: Kroos is voted IFFHS World's Best Playmaker

Toni Kroos was voted the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker in 2014.

June 2015: Marriage and Family Life

Toni Kroos married his longtime girlfriend Jessica Farber in June 2015. They have two sons and a daughter and reside on the island of Mallorca.

2015: Managerial Changes and Second Champions League Title

Real Madrid saw managerial changes in 2015 with Carlo Ancelotti replaced first by Rafa Benítez and later by Zinedine Zidane. Under Zidane, Kroos continued to be a crucial part of the midfield, winning his second Champions League trophy in the 2015-16 season. This win made him the first German player to win the Champions League with two different clubs.

October 2016: Contract Extension and Continued Success

In October 2016, Kroos signed a new contract with Real Madrid, extending his stay until 2022. He continued to be a vital player for the team, winning La Liga in the 2016-17 season and defending the Champions League title, becoming the first German player to win the trophy three times.

2016: Kroos is selected to the Team of the Tournament at UEFA Euro 2016

Toni Kroos was selected to the Team of the Tournament at UEFA Euro 2016.

2016: Kroos wins first of three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid

Toni Kroos won the first of three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid in 2016.

2017: Third Consecutive Champions League Title and Most Used Player

Kroos played a significant role in Real Madrid's third consecutive Champions League title in the 2017-18 season, making 12 appearances in the competition. By the end of the season, he had become the most utilized player under Zinedine Zidane.

June 2018: 2018 FIFA World Cup and Goal Against Sweden

Toni Kroos was included in Germany's final squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He scored a crucial free-kick goal against Sweden in June 2018, securing a 2-1 win for Germany. However, the team was ultimately eliminated by South Korea in the group stage.

December 2018: Fifth FIFA Club World Cup Title

Kroos won his fifth FIFA Club World Cup in December 2018 after Real Madrid defeated Al Ain FC 4-1 in the final. This extended his record for most wins in the competition.

2018: Kroos wins his third consecutive Champions League title

In 2018, Toni Kroos won his third consecutive Champions League title with Real Madrid.

May 2019: Contract Extension

In May 2019, Kroos further extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2023.

August 2019: Goal in Season Opener

Kroos scored a long-range goal in Real Madrid's 3-1 victory against Celta Vigo in the opening match of the 2019-20 La Liga season.

October 2019: 100th Champions League Appearance and Winning Goal

Kroos marked his 100th appearance in the Champions League with the winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Galatasaray in October 2019.

2019: Sixth Goal Against Celta Vigo

In 2019, Kroos scored his sixth goal against Celta Vigo, making them the team he had scored against most in his career.

2019: La Liga Restart Goal, League Title, and Champions League Elimination

When La Liga resumed after the COVID-19 pandemic hiatus in 2019, Kroos scored Real Madrid's first official goal at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium in a 3–1 win against Eibar. Real Madrid won the 2019-20 La Liga title, with Kroos playing in every match post-lockdown. However, the season ended on a disappointing note as Real Madrid was eliminated from the Champions League in the Round of 16 by Manchester City. This season was Kroos' most productive in terms of goals, with six across all competitions.

January 2020: First Supercopa Goal and Title

In January 2020, Kroos scored his first Supercopa goal directly from a corner kick against Valencia in the semi-final. Real Madrid went on to win the Supercopa by beating Atlético Madrid on penalties.

October 2020: 100th Match for Germany

In October 2020, Toni Kroos played his 100th match for the German national team during a 3-3 draw against Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League.

2020: Germany is eliminated from UEFA Euro 2020

Germany was eliminated from UEFA Euro 2020 in 2020.

2020: UEFA Nations League Participation

Toni Kroos participated in the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League, playing a key role in Germany's matches, including his 100th game for the national team.

April 2021: First El Clásico Goal and Fifth Champions League Title

In April 2021, Kroos scored his first goal in an El Clásico match against Barcelona, a free-kick that secured a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid. This was also his first free-kick goal for Real Madrid. Later that season, he won his fifth Champions League title, scoring two goals in 12 appearances during the competition.

May 2021: Selection for UEFA Euro 2020 Squad

Toni Kroos was selected for the German squad for the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament in May 2021.

2021: Kroos announces his international retirement

In 2021, Toni Kroos announced his retirement from international football following criticism of his performance at UEFA Euro 2020.

August 2022: Fourth UEFA Super Cup and Last Game with KCM

Kroos began the 2022-23 season by winning his fourth UEFA Super Cup, this time against Eintracht Frankfurt. This match also marked the last time the iconic midfield trio of Kroos, Casemiro, and Modrić (KCM) started a game together, as Casemiro moved to Manchester United a week later.

September 2022: UEFA Man of the Match, First Captaincy for Real Madrid, and 250th La Liga Appearance

In September 2022, Kroos received the UEFA Man of the Match award for his performance in Real Madrid's Champions League opening match against Celtic. He also captained Real Madrid for the first time in a league match against Mallorca. In October 2022, he made his 250th La Liga appearance in a 3-1 win against Barcelona.

2022: Contract Extension

Kroos extended his contract with Real Madrid to 2022.

February 2023: Sixth FIFA Club World Cup Title

In February 2023, Kroos further solidified his record by winning his sixth FIFA Club World Cup title - one with Bayern Munich and five with Real Madrid.