What’s the story?
Cristiano Ronaldo wants Toni Kroos to be played in all games for Real Madrid according to reports from Spanish outlet Don Balon. The Real Madrid central midfielder has been excellent this term, and Cristiano Ronaldo thinks with Luca Modric getting on in years, the presence of Kroos is integral for the La Liga leaders.
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The context
The midfield is very important in the system Zinedine Zidane plays, with three forward players. The transition from one stage to another with pace is very important for the Madrid side, and the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are integral to the process.
Toni Kroos is one of those few midfielders in world football who can dictate the tempo of the game. A dying art, he sits back, in a quarterback like position and uses his passing range to penetrate the lines.
The heart of the matter
Cristiano Ronaldo has had the opportunity to play with few of the best orchestrators of the modern game in Paul Scholes and Xabi Alonso. Toni Kroos is of a similar ilk, and his contribution to the team cannot be understated.
For the front three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale to fire on all guns, the service to them has to be good. The German with his passing makes sure that the ball is recycled into those three.
What’s Next?
Real Madrid have a difficult run in with Bayern Munich in the Champions League and Barcelona in the La Liga in the same week. Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Toni Kroos will be integral to the outcomes of those two games, and it comes to no surprise that the Portuguese captain wants his manager Zinedine Zidane to play the World Cup winning midfielder.
Author’s Take
There has been a lot of speculation around the future of Toni Kroos at Real Madrid. The German, quiet, calm, and the kind to stay out of the headlines isn’t your average ‘Galactico’ and hence has been underappreciated.
However, it is nice to see that Cristiano Ronaldo knows how important he is for the team’s success this term. Mind you, he might still be moving to Manchester United this summer.
