Former German international footballer and coach Josep “Jupp” Heynckes has offered a piece of advice to his countryman Toni Kroos, who plays for Real Madrid.
The 72-year-old said Kroos should leave when the ovation is loudest — referring to Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League double.
Image: Toni Kroos
Heynckes, currently the third-highest goal scorer in Bundesliga, thinks Kross should leave with a total of 18 trophies already won by the 27-year-old midfielder.
Playing under the German coach, Kroos was part of the Bayern Munich side which lifted the 2011-12 treble. He also won the Brazil 2014 World Cup with Germany.
“Toni is 27 and has won the Champions League three times, won the treble with Bayern and lifted the World Cup with Germany,” Heynckes told Sport Bild in an interview.
“He should just hang up his boots now.
“Toni is a strategist. He has developed into an even better player at Madrid.
“Along with Casemiro and [Luka] Modric, he’s part of the best midfield in the world. He plays like any coach wants his players to play.”
Image: Toni Kroos
Noting that he’s still hungry for more glories, and far from quitting, the player responded: “I can’t leave the sport, even if I have won everything.
“At Real Madrid and in the German national team there are always new objectives and I want to win everything possible.”
Germany is preparing for the Confederations Cup. Sadly, the national team coach Joachim Low excluded Kroos from the squad so he can enjoy good rest after a tiresome season.
