Former soccer star Toni Kroos was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit at the Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented the former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid player with the award on Thursday as part of his state visit to Spain. Kroos became world champion with the national team in 2014 and won the Champions League a total of six times. The now 35-year-old ended his active career in 2024.
