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Nearly two years after leaving Real Madrid, Toni Kroos's absence continues to be deeply felt.
The German legend retired under near-ideal conditions, stepping away at the close of the 2023–24 campaign as a La Liga and Champions League double winner. His 465th and final appearance for the club came in the Champions League final victory over Dortmund, where he set up Dani Carvajal's opening goal.
Having claimed 23 trophies over 10 seasons—five of which were Champions League titles—Kroos, alongside teammate Luka Modrić, was a cornerstone of Real Madrid's dominant midfield. Notably, Madrid have failed to lift a major trophy since his exit.
Now, according to a report from The Athletic, Kroos is reportedly being considered for a return to Madrid—not as a player, but in a behind-the-scenes capacity.
Kroos Eyed for Zidane-Style Comeback
Madrid are reportedly "in talks" with the 36-year-old regarding "a new role with key responsibilities."
Specifics about the position remain scarce, but Kroos is said to be under consideration for a broad remit encompassing "decisions on squad planning, representing the club and providing day-to-day support at the training ground," working in conjunction with president Florentino Pérez, general manager José Ángel Sánchez, and chief scout Juni Calafat.
It has been noted that this would mirror the path taken by Zinedine Zidane, who first joined the club in an advisory, quasi-ambassadorial capacity before eventually transitioning into management.
Since his retirement in 2024, Kroos has devoted his time to his family and the Toni Kroos Academy, which is also based in Madrid.
This past April, the former midfielder was presented with the Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award at a ceremony held in the Spanish capital, recognizing the remarkable achievements of his career.
When asked about a potential playing return at the event, Kroos told the press: "Now I have other motivations in my life and other projects."
Kroos Hints at Madrid Issues
Toni Kroos receives the Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award 🏆#Laureus26 pic.twitter.com/Y8Ia0n1Yml
While he stopped short of commenting directly on Madrid's current situation—with the club on the verge of back-to-back trophyless seasons—he did offer a pointed remark about the value of collective effort over individual glory.
He said: "Within the team, I tried to be a team player. I was clear that I could only achieve great things by playing as a team.
"Doing that doesn't mean having 11 or 25 friends on the roster. I've never been on a team with 20 friends; that's impossible. But in the teams where I've won, we understood when it was necessary to be a team, to put egos aside, to contribute individual quality so the team could benefit. I think that's key to winning great things."
What Could Toni Kroos Do at Real Madrid?
With a summer of significant change on the horizon, bringing someone of Kroos's stature into the off-pitch setup at the Bernabéu could prove to be an astute move.
Pérez, the ultimate decision-maker at Madrid, will turn 80 next year and has found it difficult to assemble his next great squad amid a complicated power structure and an imbalanced roster.
Pérez has historically leaned on highly regarded former players—Jorge Valdano, Predrag Mijatović, Zidane—to serve as trusted advisors in areas such as squad building. With Madrid in need of a significant overhaul, Kroos could bring an invaluable voice of experience to the boardroom, helping steer the club in the right direction and potentially tempering some of Pérez's more questionable impulses.
Kroos may even be the ideal candidate to collaborate with the scouting team in identifying the right player to finally fill his own void at the center of Madrid's midfield.
His Laureus Award remarks also suggest he may have some pointed words for the current Madrid dressing room, and he could eventually become a valuable training ground presence for a squad that has at times struggled with intensity and discipline.
At the very least, he could serve as a respected bridge—as someone who has experienced and achieved it all—between the club's star players and its leadership.
Looming Off-Field Concerns
Yet, while Kroos's return presents intriguing possibilities, his involvement will count for little if Madrid fail to untangle their reportedly fractious and dysfunctional hierarchy.
Former winger and coach Santiago Solari currently serves as the club's director of football, but is said to carry minimal influence in the boardroom. Meanwhile, reports have surfaced of a power struggle between GM Sánchez and Anas Laghrari, an outside advisor to Pérez.
Who is truly steering the club at this point remains unclear, and one of the key priorities this summer should be establishing clear lines of authority rather than simply adding more voices to an already crowded room.
There is also, naturally, the unresolved question of who will take charge of the first team next season.
Kroos the player made Madrid's midfield hum. Doing the same for Madrid's front office is an even greater challenge.