Ancelotti ‘begged’ Toni Kroos to reconsider his retirement decision | OneFootball

Social media is in meltdown in the aftermath of Toni Kroos’ unexpected announcement, and the player has had his small bit of fun poking at the same.

Tributes are flowing in from across the globe for the player who has defined an era in the game and who will part ways with professional football after the upcoming Euros.

For Real Madrid, in fact, he will play only two more games and the club offices are devastated.

As is evident from the reactions of his teammates on social media, it is clear that the Real Madrid dressing room is saddened by the player’s decision, although there is respect for his choice in equal measure.

Ancelotti’s situation

As revealed earlier today, Kroos informed Carlo Ancelotti of his decision to leave Real Madrid and hang up his boots yesterday, shattering the coach’s heart and plans in an instant.

According to reports from MARCA, Ancelotti begged the player to reconsider his decision and stay at the club for an additional season at least. However, his words did not change Kroos’ decision.

Ancelotti was eager to see Kroos stay. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)

Kroos will thus bid farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu later this week against Real Betis, while he will play his last-ever game for the club at Wembley against Borussia Dortmund.

The plan ahead

Kroos’ departure will leave a void in the Merengues’ dressing room that will be almost impossible to fill. The club, however, have a plan in place and there is no panic after the player’s announcement.

For starters, Los Blancos will hand over Kroos’ historic number 8 to Federico Valverde and there appears to be no necessity to turn to the transfer market as it stands.

Ancelotti, instead, will look to give Arda Guler and Eduardo Camavinga more prominence in the coming campaign as the young duo will take over the German’s minutes.

Further, it is also likely that Jude Bellingham will be pushed back into the deeper midfield from his existing attacking midfield role, especially given Kylian Mbappe’s likely arrival in June.