“Last chance to show your children what the German national team looks like in your homeland”
German soccer “legend” Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) is the talk of the town when it comes to returning to the national team.
Kroos is arguably one of the best midfielders in the world. He’s won countless honors with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in Spain, and he’s also a legend with the German national team.
Kroos was called up to the Germany A team in 2010 and played 106 matches for them until 2021. He was part of the team that won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He was at the center of Germany’s soccer resurgence. Kroos announced his retirement from the national team two years ago after the team was eliminated in the round of 16 at Euro 2020 in 2021.
Recently, however, there has been talk of Cross returning to the national team. It’s a similar situation to Zinedine Zidane, who retired from the French national team and returned to the call of his country. German soccer has been on a downward spiral lately. Pride is not the name of the game after a humiliating defeat to Japan.
In the run-up to Euro 2024, there have been persistent claims that Cross could return to the national team, especially with Euro 2024 taking place in Germany. With a major tournament on home soil, the argument goes, Germany needs its best and most legendary midfielder. Germany’s new coach, Julian Nagelsmann, has also left the door open to a return for Cross.
However, Bayern Munich legend and Bayern Munich honorary chairman Uli Hoeneß said, “Absolutely not. Calling Kroos back to the national team would be the sinking of the Titanic,” he said.
There are those in favor. Former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has called for Kroos’ return to the national team. He was the coach who brought Kroos into the Bayern Munich first team.
Hitzfeld was quoted by local media as saying, “Cross is a very experienced and successful player. He was also a very good player at Real Madrid. Germany has a lot of strong midfielders, but Kroos, with his experience, intelligence, concise play and organization, will be a great addition to the German national team.”
Hitzfeld also emphasized that Cross has a strong motivation. “In his homeland, in front of his children, this is his last chance to play for the German national team. This will motivate him,” Hitzfeld said. Cross has two sons and a daughter.