‘It’s the way he sees it…’: Cristiano Ronaldo Reflects on Toni Kroos' Retirement from Football

Cristiano Ronaldo leads the Portugal national team and often scores for Al-Nassr; he shows no slowing down as he approaches forty. Remarkably, Ronaldo is still a major player despite many of his old Manchester United and Real Madrid colleagues having retired or faded from the highest level of the game; his relentless talent and hard work challenge age and expectations.

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Cristiano Ronaldo speaks about his ex-Real Madrid teammate Toni Kroos’ retirement 

Cristiano Ronaldo has offered his opinions on Toni Kroos' decision to call it quits on football. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner said he respected Kroos' choice to call off his playing career.

Made towards the close of last season, Kroos's retirement announcement surprised many. Though he performed well during the 2023–24 season—where he was instrumental in Real Madrid's La Liga and UEFA Champions League triumphs—Kroos chose to leave the game.

Apart from his performance at his club, Kroos notably returned to international service for Germany in the UEFA European Championships 2024. He had a great performance, which helped Germany go to the quarterfinals until Spain, the ultimate winners, knocked them off.

Ronaldo stressed his appreciation for his old colleague's choice to retire, even if he admitted Kroos could have kept on playing for a few more years. The Al Nassr forward expressed his opinions on his YouTube channel and said: 

“Kroos retirement? It’s the way he see’s it, we have to respect him. I respect his decision. He could play a few years more, but that’s his decision.”

Over the course of his brilliant career, Toni Kroos won 32 titles for his club and country. He won the UEFA Champions League five times with Real Madrid and once with Bayern Munich. He also played a key role in Germany's victory in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Kroos had a close relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid throughout four seasons during his career. They showed up in 171 games throughout that time, winning 116 of them and helping 16 goals to be scored overall.