Real Madrid are in formal talks with Toni Kroos about a return to the club this summer, according to The Athletic, with the former midfielder potentially taking on a role in the club's sporting structure.
Kroos, 36, retired in 2024 after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid. He has not played since, and sources close to the situation say he is not considering a return to the pitch. Instead, the discussions center on a behind-the-scenes position that could involve input on squad planning and support at the training ground.
The role being described bears some resemblance to how Zinedine Zidane transitioned after his own playing career, first advising the club and later serving as an ambassador before eventually becoming manager. No specifics have been agreed upon, and it remains unclear exactly what authority or title Kroos would hold.
Kroos never really left Madrid in a practical sense. He still lives in the Spanish capital, has been spotted at the Santiago Bernabeu multiple times this season, and runs a football academy there. He also co-hosts a podcast with his brother Felix called Einfach mal Luppen.
His absence from the squad has been widely cited as a factor in Madrid's struggles since his retirement. The club has not won a major trophy since he hung up his boots. Currently, Sporting Director Santiago Solari holds that title in name only, with Chief Scout Juni Calafat and General Manager Jose Angel Sanchez advising President Florentino Perez on transfer decisions.
Real Madrid are expected to finalize the structure of any potential role before the summer transfer window opens.
