Rüdiger: 'Many share my view' on Kroos comeback for Germany idea

Germany defender Antonio Rüdiger has reiterated his call for Real Madrid team-mate Toni Kroos to come out of international retirement and strengthen the team for this year's home Euros.

Rüdiger told Monday's edition of Kicker he believes that "many share my view."

"It is a home Euros, we want to have the best players there, and at the moment I see Toni as one of our best Germans, because he is also one of the best Real Madrid players at the moment," Rüdiger said.

"We're talking about a player who has been here at Real Madrid for 10 years and who still commands a great deal of respect. You have to achieve that first, for me it's an incredible feat."

Midfielder Kroos, 34, won the World Cup in 2014 and retired from the national team with 106 caps after the last Euros in 2021.

Rüdiger, 30, first raised the issue in December but he told Kicker he has no idea whether Kroos was interested at all in a comeback, saying: "He will make a decision for himself."

Rüdiger's idea sparked a big debate, with national team coach Julian Nagelsmann also asked, while pundits including former Germany captain Lothar Matthäus said bringing Kroos back was not needed because the team has enough good midfielders.

"I opened a big can of worms. I stand by what I said 100%," Rüdiger said.

Looking the Euros - with or without Kroos - Rüdiger said that the team must deliver after poor results lately, with just three wins in 2023 and defeat in the last two games against Turkey and Austria.

"The last few tournaments and the last two international matches weren't good, which is why you have feelings of guilt. I know for sure that we will be prepared and throw everything into it," he said.

Germany's next matches are March friendlies against France and the Netherlands.