Real Madrid News
Real Madrid expect key veteran star to renew at the end of the season
Real Madrid superstar Toni Kroos celebrated his 33rd birthday on Wednesday. The midfielder has been at the club for over eight years now, having arrived in 2014 from Bayern Munich.
During his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, the German ace has firmly etched his name into the history of the club, having won as many as four UEFA Champions League trophies along with several other honours.
However, heading into the summer, Kroos’ future at Real Madrid is clouded by uncertainty. The 33-year-old’s contract with the Merengues expires at the end of the ongoing campaign. And there has been no decision made by the midfielder as of yet.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner has always maintained that he desires to retire at Real Madrid. And there has been a fear within the club that the veteran star, who continues to be integral to Carlo Ancelotti’s plans, will hang up his boots in the summer.
Recent reports had suggested that Kroos could arrive at a decision on his future over the coming month.
But, according to Pacojo on SER Deportivos, Real Madrid are now expecting Kroos to renew his contract at the end of the season and remain at the club for another year.
Of the Merengues’ 23 matches across all competitions this season, the 33-year-old veteran has played in 19, scoring one goal and setting up four more.
Even though Real Madrid are working to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, they see veterans like Kroos and Luka Modric as important cogs in the scheme of things and want them to remain at the club.
And even though they feared that Kroos might retire once this season comes to an end, the reigning champions of Spain and Europe are now expecting the veteran superstar to renew and stay at the club.
The Santiago Bernabeu is ready for the first time in a fortnight as Real Madrid are set to host relegation-threatened Real Valladolid for gameweek 27 of La Liga. The gap between them and Barcelona was increased to 15 yesternight, and los blancos will be looking to cut it down to 12 to scarce the tiniest bit of hope of defending their league crown.
Carlo Ancelotti has opted to use a highly attacking starting lineup for the clash, with Karim Benzema spearheading the front-three. He is flanked by Marco Asensio on the right while Vinicius Jr retains his place on the left.
Rodrygo also gets the nod to start, probably as an attacking midfielder in what looks like a 4-2-3-1.
Aurelien Tchouameni has been given the nod in midfield, with Toni Kroos forming the double pivot alongside him.
With Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and Nacho out injured, Eduardo Camavinga gets the license to start as the left-back, while Lucas Vazquez flanks the defence from the right. The usual suspects — Eder Militao and David Alaba — start in central defence.
Thibaut Courtois was a doubt heading into this game, but has been given the medical greenlight to take his place as the goalkeeper.
📋✅ Our squad for #RealMadridRealValladolid! pic.twitter.com/T9G5QY3P4D
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 2, 2023
Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga; Tchouameni, Kroos; Asensio, Rodrygo, Vinicius; Benzema
