The quarter-final against Spain could be the last game of Toni Kroos' career. However, the German playmaker is his usual confident and winning self.
Toni Kroos sits on the press podium at the German team camp in Herzogenaurach, a smile flitting across his face here and there. He is not surprised by the questions from the numerous reporters; as always, he is prepared for anything and answers one question after another professionally, even in Spanish at the end. Calmness itself, just like on the pitch. And yet the 34-year-old has every reason to be nervous.
The lack of recognition at home
Because after the European Championships, Kroos ends his glittering career. The German played his last game at club level at the beginning of June. He won the Champions League for the fifth time with Real Madrid. As befits his status, you could say. Because everything Kroos touches with his white football boots turns to gold. He has 34 titles on his CV - no other German player has won more trophies.
While Kroos always received great recognition in his adopted country of Spain, he was also viewed critically in Germany. Particularly in Munich, where his career had once taken off, but where no agreement was reached on a contract extension in 2015 and he was allowed to move to Real Madrid. Among the German public, Kroos was often referred to as "Querpass-Toni", a player who stands for slowing down instead of speed, for safety instead of risk.
Uli Hoeness, once a supporter of Kroos at Bayern, blamed the North German for the team's European Championship exit three years ago, saying after the loss to England in the round of 16: "Toni Kroos has lost nothing in this game with his cross-field passing." His time, his way of playing, was "totally over", said the 1974 world champion, adding that he had not seen another player during the finals who celebrated this type of football.
Passing monster and metronome
Now, three years later, Kroos is the savior for Germany. National coach Julian Nagelsmann persuaded the midfield strategist to step back from his retirement, which Kroos had announced after the last European Championship. The Madrilenian brought momentum back to the German team, which had previously looked lethargic. It took Kroos just eight seconds on his comeback to record his first assist. The lightning goal against France and the subsequent victory against the Netherlands provided a timely boost for the host nation. Germany have not lost a game since Kroos returned to wearing the eagle on his chest.
Kroos has shone so far at the home European Championships, his last appearance on the big stage. 416 of his 435 passes (95.75%) reached his teammate, and he not only played the ball short and across, but also wide and vertically. No other player even comes close to his figures. Not even Granit Xhaka, who has a pass completion rate of 89.3% from 280 passes. Kroos has only scored once in the tournament, has not recorded an assist so far and has not created a clear goalscoring opportunity. Others in Julian Nagelsmann's team are responsible for that.
Kroos may not be the quickest on the pitch and is increasingly rarely to be found in the front third. But nobody has as much feeling in their feet and anticipation as he does. He is the metronome of the game, knowing when he needs a cross-field pass to calm the game down and get to grips with the opposition and when he needs to generate pace with a vertical pass.
Against his adopted country
If Kroos has his way, he will do this three more times before he retires from football. "I'm not nostalgic at all. Because I don't assume that tomorrow will be my last game," he said in response to a reporter's question about his state of mind and seemingly naturally dispelled any doubts from those present about the outcome of the quarter-final. Some may dismiss this as arrogant, but it is the self-confidence and self-image that has always characterized the Germans, and Kroos in particular, and made them successful.
They had set themselves the goal of winning the tournament. After all, he came back to achieve this last goal as a player. It would be a fitting conclusion for Kroos, in whose showcase the Henri Delaunay Cup is the only thing missing.
On the way to title number 35, Spain - of all countries - currently represent the biggest hurdle. Of all things, because Germany have not won a competitive match against the Iberians for 36 years and the Spaniards, for their part, have repeatedly got in the way of the Germans on their way to further titles. But also, of all things, because Kroos is at home in Spain, loved, even revered.
He has already said goodbye in Madrid. He would be only too happy to send his former Real colleagues home with the same words in Stuttgart on Friday.
