Julian Nagelsmann opens door for Toni Kroos to perform ‘interesting’ Germany U-turn to play at Euro 2024… and even the Real Madrid star is keeping coy on potential international return
- Toni Kroos has chosen to retire from international football after Euro 2020
- Julian Nagelsmann now leaves the door open for the midfielder
- 'There is no greater waste of time!' What is the point of the Club World Cup? It all starts
Julian Nagelsmann has left the door open for Toni Kroos to make a turnaround and return to international football in time for Germany's home leg of the 2024 European Championship.
Real Madrid star Kroos has opted to leave Germany after a sub-par Euro 2020 performance.
He wanted to focus on his family and try to extend his club career with Real Madrid.
But Kroos, who has himself remained tight-lipped about the prospect of playing for Germany again, is now in the sights of boss Nagelsmann, who has revealed he has spoken to the midfielder.
“Interesting thought,” Nagelsmann said SportStudio from ZDF when asked about the prospect of Kroos returning to the fold.
Toni Kroos could be in line for a sensational return to international football ahead of the 2024 European Championship
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has not ruled out that Kroos will be back in the mix for his team
'My job is to think of all the German players. Toni is a great person who speaks his mind clearly – and a very successful footballer. You can talk to him about anything.'
When asked if the pair discussed completing a U-turn in Germany during a recent conversation, Nagelsmann added: 'No, not specifically. We talked about general topics.'
Nagelsmann continued: 'I think playing a European Championship at home is an attractive prospect for all German players. It depends on him, on his performance and on other players.'
Kroos (left) is still a prominent figure for Real Madrid and he could be tempted by a home Euro
Kroos has 106 appearances for Germany to his name, playing a key role between 2010 and 2021.
At the Real Madrid star's peak with his country, he won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
But things have been much tougher for Germany in recent years, with Kroos announcing his retirement from the national team at the age of 31 after a disappointing Euro 2020.
Nevertheless, he remains an integral part of the puzzle at Real Madrid.
Having featured in all 16 LaLiga matches so far, Real Madrid teammate Antonio Rudiger is now on the charm offensive to get his German compatriot back into the national team mix.
After Real Madrid's Champions League trip to Berlin to take over Union, Kroos was quizzed by DAZN on Rudiger's pitch.
“I had to think about it for a long time, it caught me off guard because I hadn't thought about it myself, but he had,” Kroos said.
“That got me thinking and gave him an answer that I can't give you today,” he added with a grin.
