Toni Kroos’ last dance at the Santiago Bernabéu

Time has stopped at the Santiago Bernabéu. It’s the 85th minute and the fans real Madrid fight against the clock. Unlike other occasions, like a few weeks ago against Bayern Munich, the white fans do not look at the scoreboard, they only care about extending that moment as long as possible and enjoying a little more Toni Kroos. But it is impossible and sad at the same time: the German will not wear the number ‘8’ again at home. The side line of the field shows the situation very well: it is the end and no one wants him to cross the finish line. Tears begin to appear and hearts race with each step of the wheel, for whom his family is waiting at the top of the stairs that lead to the locker room.

• Toni Kroos will end his career after Euro 2024

There are a few minutes left until the goalless draw between Madrid and Betis is consummated, on the last day of the Spanish League, in the hands of Carlo Ancelotti’s team four games ago; However, no one moves from the renovated white stage. In a match to meet the schedule and rehearse for the Champions League final next Saturday, Kroos’ goodbye gave meaning to the game. The champion could have lost his undefeated record at home. In fact, he was on the ropes in several parts of the match (the visiting team had two goals disallowed for offside), being saved by the VAR. He could also win it with Vinícius and Rodrygo, although it was the least of it. Eyes always followed Toni, ever since he stepped onto the grass to receive an ovation that anticipated what was going to happen later.

With the whistle of Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos, the image of the German multiplied on the Bernabéu screens, while in the stands the emotions were expressed through the ‘8’. In that moment, Kroos was more German than ever, thanking the people for their affection with a shy smile. That calm and control, so characteristic of the 34-year-old midfielder, disappeared when he saw his children rubbing their eyes. There, Toni couldn’t take it anymore, breaking down and saying goodbye through tears.

“Thank you legend”, was read in one of the stands with the image of the midfielder and the number 22, in reference to the number of titles the brilliant footballer has won with the Real Madrid shirt. A figure that could increase the following Saturday after the duel against Borussia Dortmund. If the club chaired by Florentino Pérez wins its fifteenth ‘Orejona’ at Wembley, Kroos will close his successful career with six Champions Leagues, five dressed in white. For this reason, the Bernabéu transformed the ‘8’ into an infinity symbol (∞), giving the German the status of legend.

“I have been quite strong until the moment I have seen my children”

With emotions on the surface, Toni Kroos took time to talk with Real Madrid TV: “It’s not easy to talk, but I can only say thank you. To all of Madrid fans, to the club, to my teammates and to the stadium, I have always felt at home. I could not ask for more. “They have been 10 unforgettable years”. And he added: “You come with a different feeling when you know it’s the last game. But I told myself that I wanted to enjoy myself and I did so in these 85 minutes, as always when I played here. It’s so special. In the next few years, when I don’t have it, I’m going to notice it. I have been quite strong until the moment I have seen my children.”.

Without the hustle and bustle of the fans, who applauded him for several minutes, the midfielder referred to his teammates and next Saturday’s final at the legendary Wembley stadium. “It is a special team, I have always said that it is a good group. Each one has given me the respect I deserved. Not only is it a group of good players, they are very good people. I have always felt very comfortable in this team. I wanted to make it official before this game so that, starting tomorrow, we can forget about it. The best way to go would be to win a title”, he concluded.

“The Bernabéu has given him the farewell he deserves”

As expected, the conference Carlo Ancelotti, after the duel against Betis, revolved around Kroos’ farewell. The Real Madrid coach highlighted the German’s career and simplicity. “The Bernabéu has given him the farewell he deserves, it has been a very emotional night. We are lucky to enjoy another week of it. He has been one of the greatest, a great midfielder, with a lot of quality and a fantastic character, with little ego and who has always played for the team; very altruistic. We have been lucky to have him for ten years”he indicated.

Along these lines, he added: “Doing better than Kroos has done at this club is very complicated. He has made a very strong decision that no one could imagine. He has shown a lot of character and saying goodbye like that is great. It is a farewell to a great football character who we have been lucky to have here and football has enjoyed a great player.”.

At one point in the press conference, the Italian was asked about Kroos’ replacement, putting Kroos as a candidate. Jude Bellingham, a substitute that the coach ruled out. “I do not think so. For Bellingham, the closer we have it to the goal the better for us. There is no player with Kroos’ characteristics on the market, but we have to replace him in another way. We have very high-quality media and we have to adapt next season’s game to its characteristics.”, concluded the coach.