Real Madrid is already prepared for tonight’s final match against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, where they aim to secure their fifteenth title in the prestigious European tournament. This match will mark the end of Toni Kroos’s club career, as the German midfielder has decided to retire at the end of the season, a decision that Real Madrid fans are still coming to terms with.
Despite this, Real Madrid is looking ahead, as evidenced by a recent conversation between club president Florentino Pérez and Uruguayan star Federico Valverde. Pérez delivered a surprise to Valverde, who is set to be the future team captain and the “heir” to his idol Toni Kroos.
During a team meeting in London, Pérez told Valverde: “You will inherit the number 8, you are starting to become one of those who have been here longer… You are the new Kroos,” which brought a smile to the Montevideo player.
Valverde has stated that “we talked about it and I told him that the number 8 for me is just another number. For me, numbers do not mean much. What has great value for me is that it comes from him (Kroos), and he (Kroos) is… the one who carried it.”