Football world champions honored in Madrid
Toni Kroos awarded the Federal Cross of Merit
November 27, 2025 – 6:39 p.mReading time: 1 min.
The Rio world champion was honored in his “living room” by Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The Federal President not only highlighted Kroos’ sporting achievements.
The 35-year-old ended his active career in 2024. During his career, Kroos became world champion with the German national team in 2014 and celebrated a total of six Champions League titles with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
“Today we are honoring one of the most successful German athletes of all time,” said Steinmeier. Kroos impressed with his “technical brilliance”, “precision” and his “unique understanding of the game” – in Germany, Spain and worldwide.
In addition to his sporting successes, the Federal President also praised Kroos’ commitment off the pitch. “It was also your friendly and level-headed demeanor on and off the pitch that made you a role model for many young football talents and sports enthusiasts,” said Steinmeier.
Kroos and his foundation have been supporting seriously ill and chronically ill children for years. “Just as you took responsibility for your team down there on the pitch, today you take responsibility for other people, for good coexistence in society and for the friendship between Germany and Spain,” said Steinmeier and thanked Kroos “from the bottom of his heart.”