Mertesacker hails Real Madrid man’s impact on resurgent German national team | OneFootball

Per Mertesacker, Arsenal academy manager and former German national team defender, has praised Toni Kroos’s instrumental role in the German national team’s recent resurgence.

Despite initial doubts, Mertesacker now considers Kroos a “key figure” both on and off the pitch, contributing significantly to the team’s renewed confidence and optimism ahead of Euro 2024.

Germany’s midfielder #08 Toni Kroos reacts during the friendly football match between Germany and Netherlands in Frankfurt, western Germany, on March 26, 2024. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal academy manager and former German national team player, Per Mertesacker, credits Toni Kroos‘s return to the squad as a key factor in the recent upswing of the team’s form.

The 34-year-old has 108 caps since his debut in March, 2010, but did not make the squad between September 2021 and March 2024 before returning under Julian Naglesmann for the last two matches in which he played the full 90. Germany won both those games after losing six of their previous 11.

“I also had great doubts with Toni as to whether it would work well if the story was rehashed. But after the two games you have to say that he is a key figure,” Mertesacker said in a recent interview. He believes Kroos’s impact extends beyond the field, providing “important impetus” within the team’s inner circle.

MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 30: Toni Kroos of Real Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between FC Bayern München and Real Madrid at Allianz Arena on April 30, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Mertesacker also attributes the team’s renewed confidence to the changes implemented by new coach Julian Nagelsmann. “The changes that Julian Nagelsmann thought through carefully worked out really, really well,” he noted. This has led to a shift in perception, with the negativity following losses to Turkey and Austria now replaced by optimism.

With the home European Championships approaching, Mertesacker is hopeful for a successful run. “You have the impression that the team can grow together, there is individual class in it. That stirs up anticipation for the European Championships and also gives me the basic feeling: We have arrived somewhere again and can go pretty far in the tournament,” he said.

When asked how far he thinks the team can go, Mertesacker replied, “Semi-finals. Unfortunately, that’s the case for a big football nation like Germany, you have to aim to be among the top four in Europe. If we manage to successfully play at least two knockout games, we can speak of a successful tournament.”