Since Toni Kroos signed with Real Madrid in the summer of 2014, he has been vital to the squad. Maybe more so than Cristiano Ronaldo. Here’s why.
Some people may be shocked by this statement but it’s true if you look closely. Toni Kroos is as valuable, maybe more valuable, than Cristiano Ronaldo. Looking at the stats and his contributions to the club over the last three seasons, Kroos has been such a valuable piece in the Real Madrid midfield that he is averaging close to 50 matches a season in the white shirt.
Since he signed, Kroos has appeared in 147 matches. That is just one match less than CR7 who has appeared in a stunning 148 matches in that time.
Looking at Kroos’ detailed stats on WhoScored is rather staggering. Since joining, the German international has averaged no lower than a 7 out of 10 match rating, with the lowest total coming during the Champions League this past season at 7.25.
To go along with an incredible average match rating, Kroos has never had a passing completion percentage under 90%. Since arriving at Real Madrid, the now 27-year-old has averaged around a 93% passing completion rate, one of the highest totals in Europe and in the world.
While Ronaldo has been the goal machine for Los Blancos, Kroos has been the master of assist, pouring in incredible helpers to set up countless goals. Kroos this past season, for the second straight year, provided double digit assists with the most since his arrival in Madrid coming this past season with 12 in league play.
More from The Real Champs
- Manchester City hold talks over Real Madrid target
- Real Madrid player confirms he is playing with a fracture
- Real Madrid superstar rejected Premier League clubs confirmed
- Spaniard ready to join Real Madrid instead of Liverpool
- PSG want €100 million Real Madrid player to replace Kylian Mbappe
Kroos’ ability to control the play and switch the field whenever needed has been invaluable to manager Zinedine Zidane, and with his command on the ball in the midfield, Luka Modric has found more space to attack.
While he may not contribute a lot of goals like Cristiano Ronaldo does, he is not tasked with scoring. Rather, he is tasked with getting the ball to the goalscorers like Ronaldo, Bale, and Benzema.
I have been more than impressed with Toni’s play since leaving Bayern Munich, and despite those incredible stats, I still think Cristiano Ronaldo is the most valuable player in the team.
The way the Portuguese beast will take over games is unmatched and the way he played in the knockout rounds of the Champions League this past season is one of the most incredible feats I think I’ve ever witnessed in football.
Toni Kroos is tied with Luka Modric for the best midfielder in the squad. And they are far and away the two best players that Real has available. Don’t get me wrong, Casemiro and Isco are both incredible players, but it’s hard to beat two of the most commanding midfielders to ever wear the white kit.
I expect nothing short of an incredible season again from Toni Kroos, and I expect Cristiano Ronaldo to do the same. If these two guys can repeat what they did again this season, Real Madrid might be looking at another LaLiga and Champions League title.
Next: Real Madrid dominate list of UEFA Champions League Players of the Year