A decision that drives Kroos

Toni Kroos is experiencing what may be one of the best seasons of his career. Compass and motor of Madrid, the German puts his technique at the service of the team and is being together with Benzema, Vinicius and Courtois the most outstanding footballer so far this year. Since he recovered from his pubalgia, an ailment that kept him away from the pitch for more than a month, Ancelotti has not been able to get him out of the eleven. He adds 953 minutes spread over 12 games, starting 11 of them and completing 90 minutes in seven. Heading into goal, he has helped the team with two goals and two assists.

Where it stands out most is in the construction of the game. In the league, in eight games he has completed 596 passes (an average of 74 per game). 403 have been in rival field and 73 displacements in length. However, its most impressive statistic is that of the delivery success: 95.2% in total. He is the best player in the championship in this regard (minimum 100 passes). And as if that were not enough, with them he has generated four clear scoring chances. In defense he is also an elemental piece for the team, He has recovered 43 balls and won 27 games.

His splendid performance coincides with his retirement from the German national team, effective since last summer. Once the participation of the team at the Eurocup, he announced what had already been suspected for months. This has allowed him to lighten his schedule and rest during the FIFA dates of this beginning of the season. SIf he had continued as an international, Kroos would have risked playing four more games (he would not have been available for September due to injury), with the trips that the concentrations of the national teams entail. It will rest again in January and March, in the last two windows before summer. A blessing for Ancelotti who needs the midfielder in the best possible shape.

Kroos has a contract until 2023. He has never hidden his intention to retire at Real Madrid, where he is living his eighth season. He has also hinted that, with the termination of that link, he could put an end to his career, retiring at the age of 33. Nevertheless, The club does not rule out the possibility of offering an extension to extend the union, at least one more campaign. It will depend largely on the physical and mental state of the player, who is currently excellent thanks, in part, to his retirement from Germany to focus solely on Madrid.