Kroos leaves Germany comeback and Real Madrid future open

Toni Kroos has not made up his mind whether he will come out of international retirement to play for Germany at the home Euros in summer and whether he will renew his Real Madrid contract beyond the season.

Real team-mate Antonio Rüdiger has suggested on several occasions that Kroos could help the ailing national team because the 34-year-old midfielder continues to play at the highest level.

Kroos helped Germany win the World Cup in 2014 and retired from the team with 106 caps after the last Euros in 2021.

Kroos remained vague, just as about his future at Real where he has been playing for a decade and won every title on offer, led by four Champions Leagues.

"I don't know yet, to be honest, I'm still thinking about it, I haven't made a decision yet. The truth is that I'm satisfied, I'm happy. And if a lot of people want me to keep playing, then it's a positive signal," Kroos said ahead of Real's Champions League last 16 match at RB Leipzig on Tuesday.

"As far as the national team is concerned, it's the same, I'm thinking about it, there's a possibility."

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said he would not give Kroos special advice because a decision would have to come from the player himself.

"Of course it is important with the Euros in his home country, it could work well. But he has the right to make this decision himself," Ancelotti said.

Ancelotti praised Kroos' longevity, saying: "He's always the best. He already had that passing accuracy ten years ago at Bayern [Munich.

"What sets him apart now is that he plays in a team that plays with enormous energy, so his strengths come into their own even more. He simply feels good with the young players," Ancelotti said.

Whether his skills are needed in the national team remains open but Rüdiger's suggestion has sparked a debate.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann spoke of an "interesting idea" in December while sporting director Rudi Völler summed up the dilemma.

Völler named Kroos "a world class player" who can still do "great things" on the pitch but has also said that the team needs reinforcements more badly in other areas than midfield.

Former Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeneß bluntly spoke of a "Titanic signal" if Kroos was recalled and former national team official Joti Chatzialexiou agreed, saying such a move would be "a damning indictment of German football."

Players like Rüdiger and Joshua Kimmich have said they would like to play with Kroos for Germany again. But it also appears that Kroos doesn't feel as appreciated in Germany as he is in Spain - which could however change if he returns and plays a good Euros.

The final saying will be with Kroos, and with Nagelsmann who will nominate his squad on March 14 for friendlies against France and the Netherlands, the last games before he will pick a provisional Euro squad.

"Let us surprise you. We still have a little time," Nagelsmann said last week.