Toni Kroos believes he knows what Real Madrid is still missing. According to the former player of Los Blancos, the club could still use a "Toni Kroos type" player.
Real Madrid has made a promising start to life under new manager Xabi Alonso, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti at the beginning of the season.
The Basque tactician, a former midfield general for both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, stepped into one of the most demanding roles in world football and was immediately thrown into the spotlight. His first major test came at the FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament that often serves as a proving ground for new managers looking to make a statement. So far, Alonso has passed that test with flying colors, guiding the club to the semi-finals, where they are set to face Paris Saint-Germain the reigning Champions League winners and a team filled with world-class talent.
Should Real Madrid overcome PSG, they would find themselves one step away from lifting another major trophy one that would further cement their dominance on the global stage. With two more victories, the world title could soon be added to the already packed trophy cabinet at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, a venue that has witnessed decades of footballing greatness.
Despite the encouraging results and the early signs of Alonso’s tactical imprint, not everyone is completely convinced by the current setup. One of the most notable voices to raise concerns is none other than Toni Kroos a modern-day Real Madrid legend who recently retired from professional football after a glittering career. Kroos, who played a pivotal role in one of the club’s most successful eras, winning multiple La Liga and Champions League titles, offered a candid assessment in a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
According to the German maestro, Real Madrid is still lacking a player with his unique skill set someone who can control the tempo of a game, dictate the rhythm from deep, and bring a sense of calm and intelligence to the midfield. “They still lack a profile like mine,” Kroos said. “They’re still looking for that. There aren’t many players like that, and the ones that do exist aren’t easy to get.”
Kroos’s comments come at a time when Real Madrid is transitioning into a new generation. With the likes of Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Federico Valverde forming the core of the next era, the club boasts no shortage of talent. But Kroos suggests that none of them truly replicate his qualities the ability to read the game two steps ahead, to play under pressure with composure, and to bring balance to both the defensive and attacking phases.
It's not necessarily a criticism of these younger players, who have already shown glimpses of brilliance. Rather, it’s an observation rooted in the tactical nuance of midfield play something Kroos understands better than most. His departure, along with that of Luka Modrić in the near future, marks the end of an iconic midfield partnership that defined a generation. Finding someone to fill that void isn’t just a matter of scouting talent; it’s about identifying the right footballing brain.
Interestingly, Kroos stopped short of making any sweeping judgments about Alonso’s tenure so far. “It’s still too early to say anything about that,” he noted. “It takes time to evaluate the changes and to say something about how he’s implementing his ideas. I’m convinced that Xabi knows how to make corrections. And some things do need correcting because with that much quality, you have to deliver.”
Kroos’s respect for Alonso is well-documented. The two played together at Real Madrid and have a deep mutual understanding of midfield responsibilities. That respect now extends to the sidelines, as Kroos clearly believes in Alonso’s ability to guide the team forward though he also emphasizes that adaptation and course correction are part of any managerial journey.
Alonso, for his part, is no stranger to such expectations. Known for his football intelligence and meticulous preparation, he has already impressed many with his calm leadership and tactical clarity. His previous success at Bayer Leverkusen laid the groundwork for his leap to the Real Madrid hot seat, and while the pressure is undoubtedly immense, he seems to be embracing it with confidence.
Still, as Kroos points out, the margins at the top are razor-thin. Trophies and legacy are built not just on talent, but on cohesion, balance, and often the presence of one or two special players who bring everything together. Toni Kroos was one of those players. Whether Real Madrid can find someone to fill that void remains one of the defining questions of this new era.
