Toni Kroos Biography: Early Life, Career, and Achievements
Toni Kroos is a renowned German professional footballer who has made a name for himself in the world of football with his exceptional skills and talent. Born on January 4, 1990, in Greifswald, East Germany, Kroos started his football journey at a very young age. He has won numerous domestic and international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the UEFA Champions League four times.
Kroos began his youth career with Greifswalder SC before joining the youth team of Hansa Rostock. He then moved to Bayern Munich’s youth setup in 2006, where he was promoted to the senior team at the age of 17. Kroos played an instrumental role in Bayern Munich’s success, winning two Bundesliga titles and the DFB-Pokal during his time at the club.
Kroos’ exceptional performances caught the attention of Real Madrid, and he joined the Spanish club in 2014. Since then, he has won numerous titles with Real Madrid, including the UEFA Champions League four times and the La Liga title twice. Kroos is known for his exceptional passing ability, vision, and technical skills on the field. He has also been an integral part of the German national team, winning the FIFA World Cup in 2014.
Key Takeaways
- Toni Kroos is a German professional footballer who has won numerous domestic and international tournaments.
- He started his football journey at a very young age and played for the youth teams of Greifswalder SC, Hansa Rostock, and Bayern Munich.
- Kroos is known for his exceptional passing ability, vision, and technical skills on the field, and has won numerous titles with Real Madrid and the German national team.
Early Life
Toni Kroos was born on January 4, 1990, in Greifswald, East Germany, to Birgit Kämmer, a former German badminton player and current sports biology teacher, and Roland Kroos, a former professional wrestler and football coach. He has a younger brother named Felix who also plays football.
Toni grew up playing football with his brother and was always a part of his school football team. His first-ever professional football team was Greifswalder FC. Subsequently, he moved to the youth team of Hansa Rostock, where he played until 2006.
At the age of 16, Toni was promoted to Hansa Rostock’s senior team, where he played for one season before moving to Bayern Munich’s youth setup in 2006. During his time at Bayern Munich, he was missing up to 40 days during the school year due to training.
In 2007, at the age of 17, Toni was promoted to Bayern Munich’s senior team. He made his debut for the club in a Bundesliga match against Energie Cottbus in September 2007.
Youth Career
Toni Kroos was born on January 4, 1990, in Greifswald, Germany. He started playing football at a young age, and at the age of seven, he joined the local club Hansa Rostock. Kroos quickly showed his talent on the field, and he was soon promoted to the club’s youth team.
Kroos continued to impress with his skills, and in 2006, he was invited to join the youth academy of Bayern Munich. He quickly made a name for himself at the academy, and in 2007, he was promoted to the senior team.
Kroos made his senior team debut for Bayern Munich on September 26, 2007, in a DFB-Pokal match against 1. FC Nuremberg. He was just 17 years old at the time, making him the youngest player to ever represent Bayern Munich.
Over the next few years, Kroos continued to develop his skills and establish himself as one of the most promising young players in German football. He played an important role in Bayern Munich’s success in the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal, and he was also part of the team that reached the final of the UEFA Champions League in 2010.
In 2010, Kroos was loaned out to Bayer Leverkusen, where he continued to impress with his performances. He returned to Bayern Munich the following year, and he played a key role in the team’s success in the 2012-13 season, helping them win the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and the UEFA Champions League.
Joining Bayern Munich
At the age of 16, Toni Kroos joined Bayern Munich’s youth ranks in 2006. He quickly proved himself as one of the most talented players in the academy and was promoted to the senior team just a year later.
Kroos made his debut for Bayern Munich on September 26, 2007, in a DFB-Pokal match against 1. FC Nürnberg. He scored his first goal for the club in a Bundesliga match against Energie Cottbus on March 29, 2008.
During his time at Bayern Munich, Kroos won two Bundesliga titles, one DFB-Pokal, and one DFL-Supercup. He was also a key member of the team that reached the final of the UEFA Champions League in 2010.
Kroos was known for his technical ability, vision, and passing range, which made him an integral part of Bayern Munich’s midfield. He was also praised for his work rate and defensive contributions, which helped the team maintain possession and control the tempo of matches.
In 2014, Kroos left Bayern Munich to join Real Madrid, where he continued to establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. However, his time at Bayern Munich will always be remembered as the start of a remarkable career that saw him win numerous titles and accolades.
Transfer to Real Madrid
After seven successful years at Bayern Munich, Toni Kroos transferred to Real Madrid in 2014 for a fee of 25 million euros [1]. Kroos quickly established himself as a key player in the Madrid midfield, playing a crucial role in the team’s success over the years.
In his first season with Real Madrid, Kroos won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup [1]. The following season, he helped the team win their eleventh Champions League title, scoring two goals in the final against Atlético Madrid [1]. Kroos was instrumental in Madrid’s three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018, being selected in the competition’s team of the season each time [1].
Kroos’ success with Real Madrid is not just limited to the Champions League. He has also won three La Liga titles, two Spanish Super Cups, and two UEFA Super Cups with the club [1]. His performances on the field have earned him numerous individual awards, including the UEFA Midfielder of the Year award in 2014 and 2016 [3].
Overall, Kroos’ transfer to Real Madrid has been a major success, with the German midfielder becoming a vital part of the team’s midfield and helping them win numerous trophies over the years.
[1] The story of how Real Madrid signed Toni Kroos | Marca [2] Toni Kroos – Wikipedia [3] Toni Kroos – Player profile 23/24 | Transfermarkt
Key Achievements with Real Madrid
Toni Kroos joined Real Madrid in 2014 and has since been an integral part of the team’s midfield. He has helped the club win numerous titles, including:
- 4 UEFA Champions League titles: Kroos played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s Champions League victories in the 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 seasons. He provided key assists and controlled the midfield in these campaigns.
- 2 La Liga titles: Kroos has also helped Real Madrid win the La Liga title twice, in the 2016-17 and 2019-20 seasons. He played a pivotal role in the midfield, providing assists and controlling the tempo of the game.
- 4 FIFA Club World Cup titles: Kroos has been a part of Real Madrid’s four FIFA Club World Cup triumphs, in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018. He has been instrumental in the midfield in these competitions, providing assists and controlling the game.
- 3 UEFA Super Cup titles: Kroos has helped Real Madrid win the UEFA Super Cup thrice, in 2014, 2016, and 2017. He has been an important part of the midfield in these games, providing key passes and controlling the tempo of the game.
Kroos has been a key player for Real Madrid in their recent successes, and his contributions have been crucial to the team’s triumphs in various competitions.
International Career
Toni Kroos has been a key player for the German national team since his debut in 2010. He has played in three World Cups and three European Championships, helping his team to win the 2014 World Cup.
World Cup Success
Kroos played a pivotal role in Germany’s 2014 World Cup victory, scoring two goals in the group stage and providing four assists throughout the tournament. In the final against Argentina, he completed 85% of his passes and made four key passes, helping Germany secure their fourth World Cup title.
Euro Championship Appearances
Kroos has also been a regular fixture in Germany’s Euro Championship campaigns. He played in all six of Germany’s matches in the 2012 tournament, scoring one goal and providing one assist. In the 2016 tournament, he played in all six matches again, helping Germany reach the semi-finals.
Despite his success at the international level, Kroos announced his retirement from the German national team in 2021. He finished his career with 106 caps and 17 goals.
Style of Play
Toni Kroos is a versatile midfielder who can play in multiple positions, but his primary position is as a central midfielder. He is known for his excellent passing ability, vision, and technical skills. Kroos is a deep-lying playmaker who can control the tempo of the game with his passing. He is also an excellent set-piece taker and has scored many goals from free-kicks.
Kroos is not known for his speed and athleticism, but he compensates for that with his excellent positioning and reading of the game. He is always aware of his surroundings and can anticipate the movements of his opponents. Kroos is also an excellent defender who can intercept passes and make crucial tackles.
Kroos’ style of play is heavily influenced by his upbringing in German football. He was taught to play with discipline and precision, and his style of play reflects that. Kroos is not a flashy player, but he is effective and efficient. His ability to control the game from midfield has made him one of the best midfielders in the world.
Overall, Kroos’ style of play is characterized by his excellent passing ability, vision, and technical skills. He is a versatile midfielder who can play in multiple positions, but his primary position is as a central midfielder. Kroos is not known for his speed and athleticism, but he compensates for that with his excellent positioning and reading of the game.
Personal Life
Family
Toni Kroos is married to his long-term girlfriend, Jessica Farber. The couple tied the knot in 2015 and has two children, Leon and Amelie. The family lives in their mansion in Mallorca, Spain. Toni and Jessica are known for keeping a low-key personal life, and unlike other star-wives, Jessica prefers to remain behind the scenes.
Toni Kroos has a younger brother, Felix Kroos, who is also a professional footballer. His father, Roland Kroos, works as a youth coach for Hansa Rostock.
Charitable Work
Toni Kroos is known for his charitable work. In 2014, he founded the Toni Kroos Foundation, which aims to help children and young people who are in need. The foundation supports various projects, including a children’s hospital in Greifswald, Germany, and a school in Rwanda.
In addition to his own foundation, Toni Kroos is also involved in other charitable causes. He is an ambassador for the German bone marrow donor registry and has also supported the “We kick Corona” campaign, which aims to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, Toni Kroos is not just a successful footballer but also a family man and a philanthropist who is dedicated to making a positive impact on the world.
Legacy
Toni Kroos is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation. His vision, passing range, and ability to control the tempo of the game have earned him numerous accolades throughout his career.
Kroos has won 4 UEFA Champions League titles, 3 FIFA Club World Cups, 3 UEFA Super Cups, and 2 La Liga titles with Real Madrid. He has also won the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship with the German national team.
Kroos’ style of play has been compared to that of legendary midfielders such as Xavi and Andrea Pirlo. His ability to dictate play from deep-lying positions and create chances for his teammates has made him an integral part of every team he has played for.
Off the field, Kroos is known for his professionalism and dedication to the sport. He is also actively involved in charitable work, having founded the Toni Kroos Foundation in 2014 to support children in need.
Overall, Kroos’ legacy as a player and a person is one of excellence, hard work, and generosity. He has inspired countless young players around the world and will be remembered as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What teams has Toni Kroos played for?
Toni Kroos has played for several football clubs throughout his career. He started his career with Hansa Rostock in 2007 and later moved to Bayern Munich in 2007. He played for Bayern Munich until 2014 and then moved to Real Madrid, where he currently plays.
What are the career highlights of Toni Kroos?
Toni Kroos has had a successful career so far, with several highlights to his name. He has won numerous domestic and international titles with his club teams, including the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and the German Bundesliga. He has also won the FIFA World Cup with the German national team in 2014.
How many goals and assists has Toni Kroos made in his career?
Toni Kroos is known for his excellent passing and playmaking abilities. He has made a significant contribution to his team’s success with his goals and assists. As of October 2023, he has scored 38 goals and made 110 assists in his club career. He has also scored 17 goals and made 23 assists in his international career.
What is the height and weight of Toni Kroos?
Toni Kroos is 6 feet (183 cm) tall and weighs 74 kg (163 lbs).
What is the salary of Toni Kroos?
Toni Kroos is one of the highest-paid footballers in the world. As of 2023, he reportedly earns a salary of €20 million per year.
Where did Toni Kroos grow up?
Toni Kroos was born on January 4, 1990, in Greifswald, East Germany. He grew up in a football-loving family and started playing football at a young age. He began his professional career with Hansa Rostock before moving to Bayern Munich.