Toni Kroos Admits He Was Never a Real Madrid Fan Despite Legendary Career

Toni Kroos, recently honored with the Order of Merit, revealed he was never a Real Madrid fan growing up, despite a viral childhood photo in their jersey. Ironically, that image helped secure his 2014 transfer. Kroos retired as a club legend with 465 appearances, 5 Champions League titles, and 4 La Liga titles.

When the legendary German midfielder Toni Kroos accepted the Order of Merit from the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, he made a surprising admission—he was never a Real Madrid fan. Despite a viral photo of him wearing a Madrid jersey as a child, Kroos clarified that he only owned a Luis Figo shirt by chance and never supported the Spanish giants growing up. In fact, he was a Werder Bremen fan during his youth.

Kroos joined Real Madrid in 2014 after a successful stint with Bayern Munich and a loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen. Though his move to Madrid was partly influenced by the viral childhood photo, Kroos admitted that the fan narrative it created wasn’t true. However, he went on to become one of the club’s all-time greats.

During his decade-long stay, Kroos made 465 appearances and helped Madrid win five UEFA Champions League titles, four La Liga trophies, one Copa del Rey, four UEFA Super Cups, and five FIFA Club World Cups, among other honors. Though his Real Madrid journey began with uncertainty, Kroos cemented his place as a midfield maestro and club legend. His recent departure marks the end of a golden era at the Santiago Bernabéu.