Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has been awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The ceremony took place at the Santiago Bernabéu, and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented Kroos with the order. The ceremony was attended by Real Madrid club president Florentino Pérez, head coach Xabi Alonso, players Federico Valverde and Antonio Rüdiger, as well as women's team players Merle Frohms and Sara Däbritz.
It should be noted that Kroos wore the jersey of both Real Madrid and the German national team between 2010 and 2024. He scored 22 goals in 306 games for the Spanish club and 17 goals in 114 matches for the German national team. He also won a gold medal at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.