Six times Real Madrid and Germany legend Toni Kroos showed he was the GOAT

These are the six moments that cemented Toni Kroos as a midfield great.

Following his announcement that he will retire at the end of this season after an illustrious career, Toni  Kroos' legacy is firmly cemented. 

Kroos has gone on to make 463 appearances and won 22 trophies since his debut for Bayern Munich as a scrawny teenager back in 2007.

His ability to control the tempo of the game and deliver key assists has earned him a reputation as one of the best midfielders of his generation. 

As he looks forward to his final international duty at the 2024 Euros on home soil for Germany, Kroos’ illustrious career will live long in the memory.

Pulse Sports brings you six moments that showed Toni Kroos was the GOAT of midfield playmakers.

1. Dream senior debut for Bayern Munich

In the 2007–08 season, at just 17 years old, Kroos received a significant promotion to Bayern Munich's senior team.

His Bundesliga debut showcased his remarkable talent, occurring on 26th September 2007 during a dominant 5-0 victory over Energie Cottbus. 

Kroos immediately made his mark, providing two assists for Miroslav Klose's goals within a mere 18 minutes after coming on as a substitute. This impressive performance solidified his place in the team and highlighted his immense potential.

At the time of his debut, Kroos set a notable record as the youngest player ever to represent Bayern Munich in a professional match, aged just 17 years and 265 days. 

However, this record was later surpassed by David Alaba in 2010. Nevertheless, Kroos's impactful debut and early contributions to Bayern Munich's success marked the beginning of a promising career for the talented midfielder.

2. Back-to-back Bundesliga player of the month awards

In the 2008–09 season, Kroos made 13 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen across all competitions, finding the net once. However, it was during the following season, in 2009–10, that Kroos truly came into his own at Leverkusen. He became a mainstay in the team, featuring in nearly every Bundesliga match for Bayer.

Kroos's standout performances during matchdays 16 to 20 were particularly noteworthy. During this period, he showcased his attacking prowess by contributing five goals and four assists in just five Bundesliga matches. Such remarkable displays earned Kroos consecutive player of the month awards from kicker for December 2009 and January 2010, a testament to his exceptional form and impact on the pitch.

3. Historic 2012/13 treble at Bayern

Kroos played a pivotal role in Bayern Munich's historic treble-winning campaign during the 2012–13 season.

 Positioned as the most advanced midfielder alongside the likes of Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez, Kroos made an immediate impact by netting three goals in the team's opening four Bundesliga fixtures. 

Additionally, he marked his presence in the Champions League by scoring his maiden goal in Bayern's group stage clash against Valencia.

Unfortunately, Kroos encountered a setback when he sustained an injury during the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Juventus. 

This injury forced him to sit out for the remainder of the season, depriving him of the opportunity to contribute to Bayern's triumphs in the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final, the 2013 DFB-Pokal Final, and the final seven matches of the Bundesliga campaign. 

Despite this setback, Kroos's early-season contributions were crucial in laying the foundation for Bayern's success that season.

Dominating Brazil & winning 2014 World Cup

Toni Kroos played a pivotal role in Germany's triumphant 2014 World Cup campaign, showcasing his exceptional skills and earning accolades along the way. 

Named in Germany's squad for the tournament, Kroos quickly made his mark. In the team's opening match, a commanding 4-0 victory over Portugal, Kroos was instrumental in midfield, providing a crucial assist to Mats Hummels for Germany's second goal.

As the tournament progressed, Kroos continued to be a vital asset for Germany. In the quarter-final clash against France, the only goal of the match, scored by Mats Hummels, came from a precise free kick delivered by the midfield lynchpin.

However, it was the semi-final against host nation Brazil where Kroos truly shone. In an unforgettable performance, Germany demolished Brazil 7-1, with Kroos scoring two goals within two minutes.

 His contributions didn't stop there; he also notched his fourth assist of the tournament by setting up Thomas Müller's opening goal. For his outstanding performance, Kroos was named man of the match by FIFA.

His  precision and vision on the field earned him the moniker "Garçom" ("waiter" in Portuguese) from the Brazilians, a testament to his ability to deliver pinpoint passes to his teammates. 

5. Winning 3-peat UEFA Champions League titles

Kroos joined Real Madrid in 2014 for a mere 25 million pounds - a big bargain now when you look back at his decade-long career at the club.

In 2015,  Madrid underwent managerial changes, with Rafa Benítez replacing Carlo Ancelotti. However, mid-season, Benítez was succeeded by Zinedine Zidane, who continued to recognize Toni Kroos as a vital component of the midfield. 

Zidane expressed his admiration for Kroos, stating, "We signed Toni because we want him to mark an era," and hailed him as 'perfect' for Madrid.

Kroos proved instrumental during Zidane's tenure, notably starting regularly as Real Madrid secured the 2015-16 Champions League title, marking Kroos's second triumph in the competition.

Continuing his streak of success, Kroos played a pivotal role in Real Madrid's triumphs in the 2016–17 La Liga season and the subsequent defense of their Champions League title. 

This achievement marked Kroos as the first German player to win the Champions League three times. Remarkably, Kroos remained the most utilized player under Zidane by the end of the season. 

In the following season's  campaign, Kroos made twelve appearances as Madrid clinched their third consecutive and 13th overall Champions League title, further solidifying his status as one of the team's key figures on the road to glory.

6. Leading the youngsters by example in 2022

Kroos is known for his impactful presence on the field, as seen in his authoritative display against Liverpool in 2022.

However, his influence extends beyond the pitch, notably within the dressing room. This was particularly evident ahead of the 2022 Champions League final in a light-hearted exchange with Ancelotti.

At the time, Madrid had gone four years without winning the Champions League, and the squad was rebooting, having signed young players like Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Velverde and Vinicius Junior to lead the next generation to glory.

Ancelotti is often praised for his ability to keep players relaxed and composed before significant matches. In this instance, Kroos demonstrated his own leadership by calming and supporting these young players preparing for their first Champions League final.

 His contribution was a testament to his role as a stabilizing and inspiring figure within the team, complementing Ancelotti's efforts and reinforcing the collective spirit.