Carlo Ancelotti gives his thoughts on Toni Kroos’ Real Madrid future

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti sat down in front of the press ahead of the UEFA Champions League Game against RB Leipzig, which will take place on Tuesday 13 February (KO 3 p.m. ET/ noon PT.).

The main theme of the day, given the player selected for media duties, was German midfielder Toni Kroos and his future at Los Blancos, something that has been a topic of conversation for the past few seasons.

Ancelotti did not give much away when asked if this was Kroos’ best season in a white shirt, calling “hard to say” if it was indeed the German’s most impressive campaign. “His passing percentage is the same as it was ten years ago; his quality hasn’t changed. He is playing in a team with a lot of energy and his quality in terms of the tempo of the Game stands out more for that reason. He is playing very well.”

Will Toni Kroos sign a new contract or leave Real Madrid?

“Whatever he decides, we have to respect it”, Ancelotti simply said when asked the question everyone wants to hear. “A player, I think, must leave when they are at the top. This year he can be up there, or next year, I don’t know, because his performances have always been good. He has never had highs or lows. But everyone must stop, as a coach too, at the top of their career.”

As for what drives Toni Kroos, Ancelotti said that “his motivation is not titles or money” but instead “playing Football”.

“They love doing it”, he added, “they do it very well and Kroos is highly respected for it. As long as he doesn’t lose [his motivation], he can continue.”

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What did Toni Kroos say about his future?

As for Kroos himself, the German midfielder was, as always brutally honest when it comes to dealing with the press: “I always tell the truth, and I just don’t know. I’m thinking about what to do, but I haven’t decided anything. I’m glad that a lot of people want me to play one more year, that’s positive, rather than the other way around (laughs). I haven’t made the decision”, he said when asked on his decision for next season.

The key to carrying on, Kroos said, echoed Ancelotti’s thoughts. “It’s having the same desire to win things as 10 years ago”, he said. “If you don’t, you don’t make it. I take good care of my body so I can play every three days without anything happening. Things are working well... I have a lot of decisions to make and I haven’t made any yet on what to do.

“I will take [the decision] when I feel ready or I have it clear in my mind” he continued, “on the pitch I am not worried. It’s an important decision but I’m so happy with what I’ve achieved that I’m not worried about it at all.”