2024-07-08 10:13:09
If we have to speak in a direct sense, Toni Kroos did not end his career at the top. But the 34-year-old German midfielder became one of the few not only in football, but also in sports in general, who managed to stop at the right moment.
It was with this that Kroos climbed one last peak that fits perfectly with the charisma that has one of the symbols of the most popular game in the world this century. Not coincidentally, his retirement received massive media coverage, with Toni receiving countless accolades for his achievements via social media tributes following Spain’s quarter-final exit at Euro 2024. It turned out to be the last game of Kroos’ career, which he announced on May 21.
Otherwise, with the world title from 2014 and a total of 6 Champions League cups (5 with “Real” and 1 with “Bayern”) and another 27 trophies, or 34 in total, the conductor in the middle of the field is the most titled German footballer in history.
It turns out that this path strewn with gold was, in a way, outlined by Bulgaria. An interesting story from 21 years ago reached “24 hours”.
In 2003, 13-year-old Tony finished his first season at the “Hanza” school. Kroos was actually born in the now-defunct GDR. He was born in the town of Greifswald. His father Roland was his first coach there. Mother Birgit Kemmer is a 10-time East German badminton champion.
So 21 years ago, little Tony goes on vacation where? To Golden Sands. In the charter to Varna, he ended up with the then striker of the junior seniors of “Hanza” Ivaylo Ivanov.
For the people of Gede, Golden Sands was a preferred destination in the years before 1990. After that, the interest decreased over time, but apparently Kroos’ parents continued to feel good in the Bulgarian Black Sea resort.
So, at the very beginning of his football journey, he landed on the Golden Sands. Only 3 years later comes the first moment for Kroos, which can be defined as golden.
The giant “Bayern” attracts the midfielder, and the parameters of the contract are shocking for a teenager in those times. “Hanza” immediately receives 1 million euros. Then another 1 million came through various bonuses. Finally, 10 years ago, during the transfer from Bayern to Real, another 300,000 came to Hansa. So it turns out that Kroos brought in a total of 2.3 million.
And so begins a tale of many peaks. And that it came to its end at the most precise moment was best articulated by Tony’s wife, Jessica.
“Just as he did everything right on the field, so he did with the final of his career,” wrote the mother of their three children – Leon (10), Amelie (7) and Finn (5).
Thanks Toni Kroos!