KEY POINTS

  • Kroos hints at retiring after current deal with Real Madrid
  • Kroos has no plans of playing until 38
  • Kroos expected to be key figure at Euro 2020

For someone as successful as Toni Kroos, it will come to a point where you may want to move on. Looking at the accomplishments he has made as a professional football player, there seems to be little to aim for. And this could be the reason why the 30-year-old midfielder is considering early retirement as an option.

According to Goal.com, Kroos will reach the end of his deal with Santiago Bernabeu by 2023. The German will be 33 by then, an age that could be up for debate. Some players continue to play the game despite their age, believing they have plenty to show. But it appears this is not how Kroos sees himself. He does not see himself as one of those players who plan to play until they are 38.

“I still have a three-and-a-half-year contract until summer 2023. Then I will be 33. That's a good age to start thinking about what I want without having a contract that runs for four years," he said in an interview with Sportschau Club.

In his career, Kroos has had several feats. Aside from being a World Cup winner in 2014, he has a La Liga title and three Champions League wins. The 30-year-old would appear to be burned out by the success he has garnered from years of playing. But a crowning glory to his football career could be at the international level. Kroos is expected to be a key figure for Germany when they play at Euro 2020 in the summer.

For now, Kroos needs to do his job and help Real Madrid. He is part of the reason why the team was able to establish a three-point lead atop La Liga to win the Spanish Super Cup. Looking ahead, they have a good chance of winning the Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League as well.

Despite hinting that he will be retiring by the end of his pact, expect Real Madrid to still try and talk him out of it. He could be handed a contract extension although is age may factor in. Apparently, Kroos knows that priorities change at a certain point, meaning he could see that he will not be that utilized approaching his 34th birthday.

Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos is an injury doubt for Real Madrid's Champions League semifinal second leg against Juventus. Reuters