Latest news with #ToniKroos
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rudi Völler on Florian Wirtz's move to Liverpool: 'A few months ago, he hinted to me, as did his father, that he was inclined to go to Liverpool.'
Rudi Völler on Florian Wirtz's move to Liverpool: 'A few months ago, he hinted to me, as did his father, that he was inclined to go to Liverpool.' Speaking on Toni Kroos' podcast 'Einfach Mal Luppen' (via Sport1), DFB Sporting Director Rudi Völler commented on Florian Wirtz's move to Liverpool. Despite no longer being the sporting director of Bayer Leverkusen, Völler is still close to the club and is regularly seen in the stands at the BayArena. Völler revealed some details about the whole saga surrounding Wirtz: 'I knew from my proximity to Bayer Leverkusen, also from his family or from him himself, what inquiries he had – it wasn't just Liverpool or Bayern Munich, there were others too.' Advertisement The former striker then revealed that despite the media portraying Bayern Munich as the favourites to sign the 22-year-old this summer, it seemingly wasn't the case: 'A few months ago, he hinted to me, as did his father, that he was inclined to go to Liverpool.' Wirtz's move to Liverpool will be concluded this week as he is expected to begin the initial stages of his medical today, reports Sky Germany, before everything is finalised tomorrow and the move is announced. However, Völler did reveal what everyone was hoping would happen to the Köln native this summer: 'Everyone was kind of hoping that he would stay here in Leverkusen for another year and not leave until after the World Cup. That would have been my preferred solution. But this is absolutely fine.' Now, Leverkusen are left with a big rebuild of their squad after the departures of Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool, Jonathan Tah to Bayern and head coach Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. The main earned from Wirtz's move can also be used to begin the major overhaul of the squad. GGFN | Jack Meenan
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Jude Bellingham tipped to transform Real Madrid fortunes in new role after being ‘not happy' under Ancelotti
JUDE BELLINGHAM has been tipped to make a quick return to his best form - providing new boss Xabi Alonso plays him in his best position. The Real Madrid star endured a mixed season at the Bernabeu as Los Blancos missed out on the LaLiga title. 2 He struggled to replicate the stunning impact of his first campaign in Spain, which led to criticism from sections of the Madrid media. And former Real winger Victor Sanchez del Amo believes the England midfielder was frustrated on the field for much of the campaign, during which Real failed to win any silverware for the first time in four years. Bellingham, 21, will hope to get back to his best at the Club World Cup, with his first game against Saudi side Al-Hilal in Miami tomorrow. Sanchez del Amo, 49, told SunSport: 'I really saw a change in Bellingham in his second season. 'In the first season he was outstanding, playing in his natural position as a midfielder with a free role to move through the central corridor. 'But last season, he played many times as a left midfielder. 'He had a different tactical role and he wasn't happy there. 'Real had lost Toni Kroos and didn't replace his role in the build-up play. They struggled for balance between defence and attack. "Bellingham realised that and tried to help the team by dropping his position, but this was also uncomfortable for him. 'You could see that his body language on the pitch was very different. Jude Bellingham's girlfriend posts for first time since England star had bum pinched by bride-to-be 'In the first season he always showed a great fighting spirit, helping his team-mates, supporting everyone and leading on the pitch. 'But in this second season he had different behaviour. He spent a lot of time complaining, got more cards and picked fights with opponents. 'I felt he was not happy in his new role — and that showed.' Bellingham has delayed shoulder surgery so he can play in the CWC. Along with Al-Hilal, Real will face Mexican side Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg in the initial group phase. And new manager Alonso, who has replaced Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti, will be under immediate pressure to mount a serious challenge in Fifa's lucrative revamped event. 2 Sanchez del Amo — who manages Slovenian champions Olimpija Ljubljana but has ambitions to coach in England — feels Alonso can boost Real's attacking threat by allowing Bellingham to play to his strengths. He added: 'Last season Real signed Kylian Mbappe but it was difficult to find balance because he and Vini Junior like to occupy the same spaces. 'They are not natural strikers, so many times Real had nobody in the box. They would get into crossing positions but the box was empty. 'Bellingham can improve that. He has a huge capacity to score goals. 'His best position is very clear — he has to be an attacking midfielder, with freedom in the central corridor to join the second line in the box. 'I don't think we'll see him playing wide any more.'
Forbes
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Real Madrid Legend Toni Kroos Criticizes Lack Of Discipline At Club
Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos appeared to criticize the lack of discipline at his former club on the ... More latest episode of the podcast he hosts with his brother Felix. Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos appeared to criticize the lack of discipline at his former club on the latest episode of the podcast he hosts with his brother Felix. The German midfield maestro famously hung his boots up at the age of 34 around this time last year. While the last time we saw him on the pitch was when eventual champions Spain beat his Germany team in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, his club swansong was the sealing of an impressive La Liga, Spanish Super Cup and Champions League treble clinched by beating Borussia Dortmund at Wembley in the latter competition's decider. Without Kroos around, as Carlo Ancelotti also had to shoehorn Kylian Mbappe into an attack that was fine as it was, Madrid finished 2024/2025 trophyless while bitter rivals FC Barcelona won every trophy on offer in Spain. Kroos' compatriot Hansi Flick was the mastermind behind the shift in power in Spain, and his no nonsense brand of discipline, which saw him punish the likes of Jules Kounde and Inaki Pena for lateness, might have had something to do with it. 'With Hansi, some players have been left out of the team because they are late for a meeting,' Kroos first said, before adding 'this has happened several times at Barca'. Kroos then indicated that Flick's hard line would have been unacceptable at the Bernabeu, which SPORT took as there being 'chaos in the locker room' during his era. 'They are different philosophies. At Real Madrid, they would have laughed. Many times you didn't know who was late, the player or the coach. It's a different mentality, not letting someone play because they are five minutes late for a meeting,' Kroos said. They're just different. They're both fine. We could say that Flick's is typical of Germany," Kroos went on, while his brother claimed that some coaches from other countries, and not just theirs, would act like Flick to the lack of punctuality from some players. Now in the dugout after Carlo Ancelotti took the Brazil job, former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso is tasked with changing the culture at the club, which could prove key to Los Blancos getting back on track and derailing Barca.
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'How was your Sunday?' - reaction to 'King Carlos'
It was a final so engrossing that the Spanish national football team huddled around a mobile phone to watch before their Nations League meeting with Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner put on a performance for the ages as they battled over an epic five sets for the French Open into a corner after losing the opening two sets, defending champion Alcaraz came out swinging - and saved three championship points on the way - to win 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (10-2).Just two minutes before Spain kicked off their Nations League final against Portugal at 20:00 BST, their compatriot Alcaraz had defied the odds to complete his magnificent compatriots, who also went the distance before losing on penalties, watched at least some of his heroics as they took in their surroundings on the field at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Alcaraz could not resist posting an image of himself, external holding the Coupe des Mousquetaires, with the caption: "How was your Sunday?"And the 22-year-old received widespread praise for the manner in which he got over the line to land a fifth Grand Slam title, achieving that feat at the exact same age as his legendary compatriot Rafael Nadal - 22 years, one month and three Madrid, who Alcaraz supports, were among those to congratulate him, writing:, external "All madridistas are happy and proud of this brilliant success achieved by one of our own."Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos re-shared a photo, external of himself and Alcaraz from 2022 - captioned "The future. And me" - with a new message, simply reading: "Told you".The PGA Tour compared and even raised Alcaraz above one of the golfing greats - 15-time major winner Tiger Woods."Five majors by age 22. Not even Tiger Woods did that," the organisation posted, from the sporting world, Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey made sure to credit Italy's Sinner as well, external, writing: "Thank you Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz for the absolute elite 'mano y mano' [hand and hand] competition. Wow." 'King Carlos the second' With an opening game lasting 12 minutes, it felt inevitable that the final between the two best players in the world would be a the end, Alcaraz and Sinner put everything on the line for five hours and 29 minutes - the longest French Open final in as the fifth set got under way at around 18:45 BST, British tennis player Naomi Broady had to make the executive call to alter her travel plans."I've just changed my Eurostar ticket because I think it is safe to say I'm not going to make the 9pm one," Broady said on BBC Radio 5 was worth it, with an emotional Broady saying afterwards she felt "so lucky that I got to be here to witness this"."It feels like this is absolutely going to be a historic moment of our sport," she British number one Greg Rusedski likened Alcaraz to Hungarian escapologist Harry Houdini, while on TNT Sports, commentator Nick Mullins crowned him "King Carlos the second - the red king in the longest Roland Garros final"."Carlos certainly didn't invent tennis, but he is perfecting it," former British player Mark Petchey added on TNT Sports. The most epic Grand Slam final ever? We've been treated to some incredible spectacles over the years, especially in the 'Big Three' era of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael who is still chasing a standalone record 25th Grand Slam title, is the only one left standing. The 38-year-old great lost in three sets to Sinner in the Paris future of men's tennis undoubtedly looks bright with Alcaraz and Sinner steering the where does their final rank in the all-time list?Tennis has seen some epic Grand Slam battles, including:Nadal v Federer - Wimbledon (2008)Nadal and Federer had to battle it out over four hours and 48 minutes (it was actually nearly seven hours due to rain delays). Nadal held off a thrilling fightback to win in five sets. Djokovic v Nadal - Australian Open (2012)Djokovic outlasted Nadal after five hours and 53 minutes to win his fifth Grand Slam title in a match that finished at 01:37 local v Djokovic - Wimbledon (2013) Andy Murray took three hours and nine minutes to see off Djokovic and ending Britain's 77-year wait for a men's Wimbledon champion. Federer v Djokovic - Wimbledon (2019)Djokovic saved two championship points in Wimbledon's longest singles final, which last four hours and 57 minutes, to beat Federer.
Forbes
29-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Real Madrid Reaches Agreement With Transfer Target
Real Madrid has reached an agreement in principle with a Bundesliga star according to transfer ... More market expert Nicolo Schira, who cited anonymous sources on X, formerly known as Twitter. Real Madrid has reached an agreement in principle with a Bundesliga star according to transfer market expert Nicolo Schira, who cited anonymous sources on X, formerly known as Twitter. It was this summer that Madrid was meant to land Florian Wirtz from the German top flight, and the now former employers of new head coach Xabi Alonso in Bayer Leverkusen. As things stand, though, it appears as though wonderkid Wirtz will instead head to a Liverpool outfit likely to lose Trent Alexander-Arnold to Los Blancos, though Madrid is closing in on another top talent from the German top flight according to Schira. 'Agreement in principle between Real Madrid and Angelo Stiller for a contract until 2030,' the Italian tweeted on X. 'Real Madrid are now working to reach a deal with Stuttgart. Talks in progress,' Schira added. Stiller is of course Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller, who Alonso knows well from his time in Germany and is represented by the same agency as retired Madrid legend Toni Kroos - Sports360 GmbH. The Bernabeu has seen him up close too, with the 24-year-old impressive in a 3-1 Champions League defeat for his team there where he made 93 interceptions, 71 passes, four recoveries and also created a scoring chance. More defensive than Wirtz, Stiller could provide a link between the back line and more attacking center-of-the-park technicians such as Jude Bellingham, while putting in the hard yards that Madrid will need to do to catch up to rival FC Barcelona and disrupt newfound domestic dominance. With Stiller a product of Bayern Munich's academy, Alonso knows what he can give Madrid and believes that he will fit into his system easily according to AS. The Spanish newspaper adds that while Stiller isn't one of President Florentino Perez's primary targets in the summer window, Madrid is 'keeping an eye on" a budding talent which Transfermarkt currently values at $42.8 million (€38 million). With the 2024/2025 season not even wrapped up a week ago, Real Madrid continues to be linked with new signings. Already landing Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, there have been further reports regarding advanced talks or agreements with the likes of Nico Paz and Alvaro Carreras.
