Football News: Toni Kroos Shines at Euro 2024 as Retirement Looms, Ballon d’Or Contender
Toni Kroos has been one of the standout performers at the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament, and with his impending retirement, the veteran midfielder is being tipped by experts to finally claim the coveted Ballon d’Or award.
The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual accolade in the footballing world, and despite his many years at the top, Kroos has yet to win the prestigious prize. However, with his international retirement on the cards and his impressive performances for both club and country this year, 2024 could be the year the German finally gets his hands on the prestigious trophy.
Kroos has already helped Real Madrid secure a domestic double, guiding the Galacticos to another La Liga title and a record-extending 15th UEFA Champions League triumph. The 34-year-old was integral to these successes, ranking third in the side for assists in the Champions League and creating the most chances for his teammates across the 10 matches.
Kroos’ influence was also felt on the international stage, as he led Germany’s charge to the quarter-finals of the Euro 2024 tournament. The midfielder currently tops the charts for accurate passes in the competition and is the only leading chance creator still in contention.
Should Germany go all the way and clinch the European Championship on home soil, it would be a fitting end to Kroos’ illustrious career. With a Champions League, La Liga, and potentially a Euro title in his trophy cabinet, the case for Kroos to win the Ballon d’Or would be a strong one.
However, the race for the prestigious individual award is not without its rivals. Vinicius Junior, the Brazilian winger who was crucial to Real Madrid’s success, has struggled to replicate his club form for the Selecao at the ongoing Copa America. Similarly, England’s Jude Bellingham has failed to make a significant impact for the Three Lions, with the team’s poor performances potentially hampering his Ballon d’Or chances.
As the football world eagerly anticipates the outcome of the Euro 2024 tournament and the Ballon d’Or race, Toni Kroos’ name is firmly in the mix. With the German’s retirement looming, this could be the perfect swansong for one of the game’s true greats.
🔗 Source