Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has revealed that Carlo Ancelotti anticipated he would remain at the Bernabeu for at least another year, making it challenging for Kroos to announce his retirement.
Kroos stepped away from the game on a high note, having won last season’s La Liga title, with his final club match being the victorious Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
After securing the La Liga title in early May, Kroos found an opportunity to discuss his future with Ancelotti, allowing the coach time to prepare for a proper farewell to the Madrid fans.
However, this conversation was still difficult for Ancelotti, who wished to see the midfielder considered one of the greatest ever continue for another season.
“It was very hard for me to tell Carlo because he expected me to stay, and we have a very good relationship. He was my first coach here, and it was not easy to share this news, but everything in life comes to an end,” Kroos explained in a detailed interview with Marca.
“It wasn’t easy. I knew he wouldn’t be angry, but he would be a bit sad. It was also a tough moment for me because it marked the end of something very special. I tried to choose a good moment, and I was fortunate that we won La Liga by a comfortable margin, so I thought, ‘now is the time!’
“The timing was perfect between the La Liga title and the Champions League final. It would have been more difficult if we were still competing for the league because I didn’t want this situation to overshadow everything else.”
Kroos also emphasized his desire to inform each of his teammates personally, choosing to speak with them “one by one” rather than making a group announcement, and taking extra time with those he had formed closer bonds with.
“I didn’t want the news to reach a website or a newspaper first, and I did it all in one or two days,” he continued. “I told some people before the news came out, because I deserved for the news to come out when I wanted. And it was the same with the club, I told them and they told me to communicate it when I wanted. Fortunately, nothing came out before, which was a surprise, to be honest.”
